October 3, 2008 RSS feed / Front Page

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Veterans Plaza ceremony honors POWs, MIAs

NEVER FORGOTTEN— Vietnam War veteran Ed Tingstrom, color guard captain for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10049 Simi Valley and a retired U.S. More...

School district enrollment continues slide

High schools see drop of 162 students in one year
By Eliav Appelbaum eliav@theacorn.com

Enrollment in Simi Valley Unified School District has declined for the fifth consecutive year. As of Monday, 20,885 students were attending school in the district—257 fewer than at this time last year. More...

Health & Wellness

Doing battle with the paddle

STILL GOT IT— Moe Shahkarami of Moorpark, above, returns a serve during the men's ping-pong singles tournament on the first day of the 2008 50-Plus Community Games Sept. 24 at the Simi Valley Senior Center. More...

Serving up breakfast for seniors

The nonprofit Resident Council hosts a homecooked breakfast for seniors the first Saturday of each month from 8 to 11:30 a.m. at 9620 Telephone Road in Ventura. The next breakfast is Oct. 4. The cost is $3.50, $2.50 for seconds. More...

Learn about Medicare changes

Katherine Raley will offer a free presentation on the 2009 changes in Part-D Medicare plans from 1 to 2:15 p.m. Tues., Oct. 21 at the Simi Valley Senior Center, 3900 Avenida Simi. More...

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Schools

School board incumbent remains passionate about helping at-risk middle schoolers

DiFatta would like to keep current board together
By Eliav Appelbaum eliav@theacorn.com

Janice DiFatta is trying something new in her bid for reelection to the Simi Valley Unified School District board of education. More...

Homecoming honors heroes

"Heroes United" will be the theme of Grace Brethren High School's homecoming football game next Friday, Oct. 10, at Moorpark College. More...

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Pets

Pet of the Week

CUTE AND CUDDLY— Socks is a 5-month-old black-and-white cat. She is curious and sweet. If you would like to adopt Socks, ask for animal ID No. A451125 at the Camarillo Animal Shelter, 600 Aviation Drive in Camarillo. More...

Pet lovers get in costume for Wag 'N' Walk

STEPPING OUT— Above, Simi residents Rachel and Rick Massey are dressed for the occasion as they walk with Poncho and Baby Bear last Saturday at the third annual Wag 'N' Walk held at Rancho Simi Community Park. More...

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Faith

St. John's Seminary to host Red Mass

Legal community invited to attend traditional event

Lawyers, judges and the legal community in Ventura County will gather for the first Red Mass ever held in the area at 5:30 p.m. Tues., Oct. 7 at St. John's Seminary Chapel, 5012 Seminary Road, Camarillo. More...

Pets to be blessed Sunday

St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church will host its annual Blessing of the Animals service at 10:15 a.m. Sun., Oct. 5 outdoors on the church lawn at 280 Royal Ave., Simi Valley. The Rev. More...

Haddash will host elections speaker

The Simi Valley/Moorpark Hadassah group L'Dor Vador will host a speaker from the League of Women Voters from 2 to 4 p.m. Sun., Oct. 12 at the Ziegler Center at Mount Sinai Memorial Park, 6150 Mount Sinai Drive, Simi Valley. More...

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On The Town

"Nights in Rodanthe"

Directed by: George C. Wolfe Starring: Richard Gere, Diane Lane, Viola Davis, Scott Glenn, Mae Whitman MPAA r ating: PG-13 (for slight sensuality) Running time: 98 minutes Best suited for: Kleenex packers Least suited for: More...

Busy schedule this fall at Underwood

Underwood Family Farms in Moorpark presents a variety of activities for the annual Fall Festival. •Every weekend following, live bands, such as CRV, Acadiana, Last Call, and The Catterwailers, will perform from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. More...

Writers' meeting will feature local poet laureate

Perie Longo, poet laureate of Santa Barbara, will be the featured speaker at the Ventura County Writers Club's meeting at 7 p.m. Tues., Oct. 14 at Borders bookstore, 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. More...

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Columns

A good year for acorns

I woke up this morning with the cognizance that my summer blankets were no longer keeping me warm. The calendar confirmed my suspicion that fall is rapidly approaching. With the equinox, it is not only the calendar that indicates autumn. More...

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Editorials

Oct. 15 forum will help voters get to know the candidates

Tomorrow will be exactly one month until the election. Can you feel the heat? More...

Cartoon

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Foundation raising money for train crash survivors

More donations are needed
By Eliav Appelbaum eliav@theacorn.com

Racheal Mofya, on her way home from school at Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles on Sept. 12, was a passenger on the Metrolink train that collided with a Union Pacific freight train. More...

Community shocked by death of 5-year-old in dog attack

By Joann Groff joann@theacorn.com

A 5-year-old Simi Valley girl has died after being attacked by a pit bull. Katya Teresa Todesco was severely bitten Tues., Sept. 23 at around 8:45 p.m. at the home of a friend in the 1000 block of Appleton Road, according to Lt. More...

Prescription drug ring uncovered in Simi

By Kyle Jorrey kjorrey@theacorn.com

A tip from suspicious Simi Valley pharmacists has led to the arrest of seven individuals allegedly tied to a Palmdale-area drug ring suspected of fraudulently obtaining more than 11,000 highly addictive prescription pills, including Oxyco More...

Community

As mayor, Lang says he'd do more to protect hillsides, address gang issue in schools

By Carissa Marsh cmarsh@theacorn.com

A self-described "old hippie," mayoral candidate Ed Lang believes Simi's City Council is in need of a shake-up and he's just the man to do it. the man to do it. "I think I would bring a breath of fresh air," the 55-year-old said. More...

City looking to fill vacancies on small business committee

The city of Simi Valley is accepting applications to fill three nonChamber of Commerce vacancies on the city's Small Business Advisory Committee. These terms will each last through November 2010. More...

City Council to discuss a memorial for victims of Metrolink crash

Citing an interest within the community to recognize the victims of the Sept. More...

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Business

Experts offer advice on how to survive a rough economy

By Daniel Wolowicz camarillo@theacorn.com

Following the stock market's roller coaster ride the last two weeks, local investors are assessing the damage to their portfolios and trying to come up with a financial game plan that will provide more stability in the days ahead. More...

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Sports

Foreign sport finds home in Simi

Local cricket enthusiasts create outlet
By Eliav Appelbaum eliav@theacorn.com

Cricket is often called a gentleman's sport. Now, the gentlemen's sport that originated in England is taking root in Simi Valley. More...

Running backs rule the night

East Ventura County stocked with high-quality tailbacks
By Stephen Dorman sdorman@theacorn.com

The playmakers, the guys who threaten to take it to the end zone on any offensive snap—a lot of them compete on the high school football fields of eastern Ventura County. Most are running backs. More...

Royal boys' water polo team zapped by Chargers

On Wednesday, in the first of two Marmonte League meetings this season between Royal and Agoura high schools in boys' water polo, the Chargers defeated the Highlanders 1110 in suddendeath overtime at Agoura. More...

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Police

Burglar claimed to be from 'the water company'

A 40yearold man was arrested last week after police said he gained access to residents' homes by posing as a public works employee before making off with the homeowners' valuables. More...

Police Blotter

On Sept. 24, a 39-year-old man was arrested and charged with domestic battery in the 2400 block of Knightwood Place. On Sept. 25, a 47-year-old male transient was arrested and charged with battery against a peace officer. More...

Simi's finest honors its best

By Carissa Marsh cmarsh@theacorn.com

Most days, Simi Valley police officer Vince Allegra works the graveyard shift, arriving at the station at 9 p.m. and heading home at 7 a.m. the next day. More...

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Family

McPherson Foundation carnival, family walk back for a fifth year

The fifth annual Amanda McPherson Foundation "Life is in Charge" Family Walk and Carnival will take place Sun., Oct. 19 at Rancho Madera Community Park in Wood Ranch, 556 Lake Park Drive, Simi Valley. Registration opens at 9:30 a.m. More...

Gnome Sweet Gnome

I had to have a garden gnome. My wife asked why I had the sudden urge to decorate the garden, and why a gnome. "I just saw the little guy at the store and thought he'd look fabulous in our garden," I said. More...

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Letters

Sojka has done much to improve the image of Simi

As many of us know, you only get one chance to make a first impression. No person knows this better than Simi Valley City Councilmember Steve Sojka. More...

Council candidate is trustworthy, diligent

My husband and I are definitely voting for Barbra Williamson this November. As longtime residents of Simi Valley, we've seen Barbra Williamson as very consistent in her approach to beautification of the city. More...

Fact about amendment needs to be amended

In the Simi Valley Acorn published Sept. More...

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Vacation Photos

Take Your Simi Valley Acorn on Vacation Photo Contest

Honorable Mentions

'NOT PEANUTS, ACORNS'—While on a company trip in Phuket, Thailand, Marina Crome of Simi Valley shares news from her hometown with an interested elephant named Timbo. More...

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Datebook

Datebook

FRI., OCT. 3 Welcome Newcomers Conejo Valley Newcomers Club invites prospective members to monthly coffee at Corner Bakery, 111 S. Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village. Learn about club, talk to representatives. More...

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