December 19, 2008 RSS feed / Front Page

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Simi makes strides in housing the homeless, but more need help

By Carissa Marsh cmarsh@theacorn.com
Simi Valley's Task Force on Homelessness has two stories to tell. More...

Health & Wellness

Could your child be suffering from teenage depression?

Understanding the symptoms of teen depression may help parents get their children the help they need. More...

3 brainboosting tips for aging adults

The Alzheimer's Association estimates that 5.2 million Americans have memory and language problems caused by Alzheimer's disease. More...

Red Cross selling life-saving gifts

The American Red Cross of Ventura County is selling a variety of life-saving gifts such as first aid kits, short wave radio with a flashlight and cellphone charger, water safety items, emergency preparedness kits, pet first aid handbooks More...

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Schools

Lundstrom named school board president for 2009

By Eliav Appelbaum eliav@theacorn.com

The Simi Valley school board broke protocol this week when it voted 3-2 to name Eric Lundstrom as the next school board president. Instead of naming the previous year's clerk of the board More...

Simi students earn degrees

•Christopher F. McNicoll of Simi Valley received a Master of Public Health degree in medical science and a Master of Public Health degree in health services from Boston University in September. More...

Board approves calendar for '09-'10 school year

The Simi Valley Unified School District board of education approved the 2009-10 school calendar during Tuesday's regular meeting. More...

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Police

Police Blotter

On Dec. 10, a 41-year-old man was arrested for violating a restraining order in the 3000 block of N. Divernon Avenue. On the corner of First Street and E. More...

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Faith

Parishioners get hands dirty to beautify parking lot, play area

St. Rose of Lima School and Catholic Church in Simi Valley recently landscaped a parking lot and play area through volunteer efforts. More...

One Spirit sheds confusion, gains unity in new name

By Angela Randazzo Special to the Acorn

The membership of One Spirit Center for Conscious Living in Simi Valley voted last week to change its name to Center for Spiritual Living. More...

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On The Town

Funk-rock group's founder to perform in Agoura Hills

'War' cry will be sounded at The Canyon
By John Loesing newstip@theacorn.com

What's more annoying than a group from the '60s or '70s trying to foist new material on old fans? Hits only, please. That's what audiences want to hear. More...

Laugh in the New Year at J.R.'s

J.R.'s Comedy Club will host two comedy shows inside Yankee Doodles on New Year's Eve, Wed., Dec. 31, at 2830 Tapo St., Simi Valley. East Coast New Year will be from 5:30 to 9 p.m., and West Coast New Year will be from 8:30 p.m. to midnight. More...

The Movie Nut

Jamal is a Muslim teenager who's spent most of his young life in the crowded slums of Mumbai, scavenging to survive. More...

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Editorials

Holiday advice: Keep your composure

Holiday stress can be serious or mundane, but whether it's a major crisis or a minor frustration, everyone needs coping skills. Knowing the difference between big and small stresses is important. More...

Cartoon

Full Story

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Datebook

Datebook

FRI., DEC. 19 Whizzing Around The World Traveler Irma Kackert gives slide presentation on St. Petersburg, the Hermitage, Finland, Stockholm at Goebel Senior Adult Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. Free. More...

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City budget adjustments will save $3 million

DARE to be suspended for the rest of the school year
By Carissa Marsh cmarsh@theacorn.com

Fighting against a projected multimillion dollar budget deficit, the Simi Valley City Council approved a slew of spending modifications Monday that will result in savings of nearly $3 million. More...

Powerful blast shakes Simi industrial park

Tank malfunction at alternative energy company causes highpressure release
By Carissa Marsh cmarsh@theacorn.com

What was first reported as an explosion at a commercial building in Simi Valley Monday evening was actually a blast caused by a tank used to create alternative fuel out of water. The incident occurred in an industrial park at 2320 N. More...

Community

Home Depot, Lowe's ordered to pay fines to county

By Carissa Marsh cmarsh@theacorn.com

The Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit of the Ventura County District Attorney's office has settled a civil action against Lowe's and Home Depot regarding their water heater installation services, officials said last week. More...

Thieves steal money intended to help orphans

By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

Thieves have been stealing donation boxes belonging to The Orphan Foundation, a nonprofit group formed by Newbury Park residents Joe and Tatiana DiDonato to help orphans from the U.S. More...

2 property owners asked to clean house

By Carissa Marsh cmarsh@theacorn.com

The City Council adopted a resolution last week declaring two unkempt parcels in Simi public nuisances. More...

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Business

Educational toy dealer opens up shop in Westlake Village

BrainBuilders, a leading ecommerce retailer of educational toys, games and puzzles, recently opened its first retail store in Westlake Village. More...

Realtor named to board

James Mackelburg of MJB Real Estate Services Inc has been elected to the 2009 board of directors of the Simi Valley-Moorpark Association of Realtors. More...

Store relocates

Swords & Sorcery has moved to its new location at 4360 Eileen St., Simi Valley, off Tapo Street between Cochran Street and Los Angeles Avenue. More...

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Sports

Royal grapplers show no fear

By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

Expectations are just a little higher with the Royal High wrestling program. More...

Marmonte League honors fall season's finest

The Marmonte League has announced its All-League teams in football, boys' water polo, and girls' golf, tennis and volleyball. Many area athletes were recognized for their accomplishments during the season. More...

Press Box Prattle

Fixin' this football mess I throw my shoes at you, CIFSouthern Section. Last Friday night at Moorpark High, thousands watched the Musketeer football team host St. Bonaventure in the CIF-SS Northern Division title game. More...

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Family

Family Men Don't Wear Name Brands

O Christmas tree Real Christmas trees offer so much more than artificial trees. Real Christmas trees come with an aroma that sets the mood for the holiday season. Artificial trees smell like packing tape. More...

Santa coming to Santa Susana

Santa Claus will hand out candy canes and hear Christmas wishes from children this weekend, Dec. 20 and 21, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Santa Susana Railroad Depot and Museum, 6503 Katherine Road, Simi Valley. More...

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Letters

Police deserved their pay raise

I agree with Margaret Rosen's letter ( Acorn , Dec. 12) supporting the pay raises for our police department. I think they, as well as the fire department, walk on water. I've had to call the police and had their assistance in minutes. More...

Elected officials won't turn down their pay hikes

In your Dec. 5 edition of the Simi Valley Acorn, in the opinion section you criticize the Simi Valley Police because they are going to get a pay raise, and you wrote about the United Auto Workers adjusting their wages. More...

Councilmembers already have plenty of 'say'

We have in this great country an amendment which gives us freedom of speech with limits; let me repeat, with limits. More...

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Neighbors

Simi Valley leukemia sufferer hoping for a Christmas miracle

Public encouraged to participate in bone marrow drive tomorrow
By Joann Groff joann@theacorn.com

A bone marrow drive will be held this Saturday for a 25yearold Simi Valley man who has been fighting leukemia all year. Victor Vega, 25, has been receiving treatment at City of Hope since he was diagnosed in fall 2007. More...

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