Front Page | www.simivalleyacorn.com

January 9, 2009 / Front Page

Humming a new tune

By Carissa Marsh cmarsh@theacorn.com

Simi Valley may be home to a fivestar resort if the City Council decides to support a plan to convert Hummingbird Nest Ranch into a luxurious spa getaway. More...

During cool weather, many families look forward to the warmth and ambience of crackling fires in their home fireplace. But before lighting a fire, there are some tips to consider. Get the fireplace ready. More...

Tips for driving in bad weather conditions

Accidents occur when people drive too fast in rain, snow or fog. Last year in California, 106 people were killed in accidents that took place in rainy, snowy or foggy conditions. More...

Learn about the 'superbug' that causes skin infections

The truth about methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus is surprising. MRSA is a type of staph bacteria that causes skin and other kinds of infections. More...

Click here for all stories

Schools

Making math fun

WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers GOT IT? More...

New lifelong learning class will focus on dance

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute of Cal State Channel Islands will offer Music Styles of Latin America from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. and Folk Music Styles of Europe from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. beginning Wed., Jan. More...

Click here for all stories

Pets

Pet of the Week

ALL LEGS—Star is a 5-month-old Jack Russell terrier mix. Since Star is still a puppy, she will need some training, but she is energetic, sweet and very friendly. Star can be adopted at the Camarillo Animal Shelter; ask for ID #A458027. More...

Click here for all stories

Police

Police Blotter

On the corner of E. Los Angeles Avenue and Sinaloa Road, a 25year-old man was arrested Dec. 29 for possession of marijuana while driving. More...

Click here for all stories

Family

Feeling fine to be first in '09

MIRACLE OF LIFE—Lisa White, 33, holds her new baby boy, Kaiden, the first child born in Simi Valley in 2009. Kaiden was born at Simi Valley Hospital at 12:58 a.m. Jan. 1, weighing a healthy 7 pounds, 4 ounces. More...

Simi Valley Y receives $25,000 for renovations

The Southeast Ventura County YMCA, serving the Conejo Valley, Simi Valley and Moorpark, received $70,000 from the WoodClaeyssens Foundation based in Santa Barbara, which awards grants to nonprofit organizations in Santa Barbara and Ventura More...

Info offered on beauty pageants

Orientation for the Ventura County International Pageants will be from 10 a.m. to noon Sat., Jan. 24 at the Courtyard Marriott, 1710 Newbury Road, Thousand Oaks. More...

Click here for all stories

On The Town

The Movie Nut

War films have tanked lately (too much of the real thing?) and some of the smarter pseudo-war flicks ("The Kingdom," "Charlie Wilson's War") have sought to replace combat carnage with political intrigue. More...

Artists can compete to be featured in mall calendar

Simi Valley Town Center invites Southern California artists to compete to be selected as the featured calendar artist for each month from March to August 2009. More...

Jazz club will meet

The Simi Valley Jazz Club will meet from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Sun., Jan. 11 at the Simi Valley Senior Center, 3900 Avenida Simi. Attendees may dance and listen to the music of the 20s to 50s. Light refreshments will be served. More...

Click here for all stories

Datebook

FRI., JAN. 9 Moorpark Women's Fortnightly Club Meets for luncheon at Moorpark Country Club, 11800 Championship Drive. Social time 9:45 a.m., meeting 10 a.m. Representative from Children's Special Advocates gives program. More...

Click here for all stories

D.A. finds officers' actions were justified in '07 death

Man was Tasered 11 times while refusing orders to comply

By Kyle Jorrey kjorrey@theacorn.com

The Ventura County District Attorney's Office on Monday said it would not pursue any criminal charges against Simi Valley police officers involved in the May 2007 arrest and subsequent death of 33year-old Reymundo Garcia Guerrero. More...

DARE instructors lament program's suspension

By Carissa Marsh cmarsh@theacorn.com

Simi Valley police officer Michelle Bertsch struggled to hold back the tears when asked about budget cuts that led to the recent suspension of the city's DARE program, which she and her partner, Officer Don Anderson, have nurtured for 12 years More...

Community

Tacky tactic benefits baseball team

BIRD MIGRATION?— Resident Kathy Korkmaz woke up Tuesday morning to discover a flock of flamingos had taken up residence in the front yard of her home on Casual Court—plastic lawn flamingos, that is. More...

Active Adult Programs

•The Simi Valley Senior Center will offer a program on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator for seven weeks from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. starting today, Jan. 1 at the center, 3900 Avenida Simi. More...

Elks Lodge hosting karaoke event

The Simi Valley Elks will host karaoke from 3 to 5 p.m. Sun., Jan. 11 at the Elks lodge, 1561 Kuehner Drive, Simi Valley. Bill Bettis will be the DJ. The public is invited to participate in the singing or just listen. More...

Click here for all stories

Business

Owner of Simi Valley Ford appointed Chamber board chairman

The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce has appointed Larry Hibbler as chairman of the board of directors for 2009. "We are so fortunate to have Larry Hibbler as our new chair. More...

Liqueur maker picked as small business of the year

The Ventura Limoncello Company was named Small Business of the Year by the Ventura Chamber of Commerce at its recent Poinsettia Awards ceremony. More...

Click here for all stories

Sports

Pooling their energy

Marmonte girls' water polo squads chasing Agoura, Royal

By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

Seven teams still have a chance to win a Marmonte League title in girls' water polo, but, according to many league coaches, the reality is the race for the top spot will once again come down to just two teams—Agoura and Royal. More...

Marmonte wrestling coaches agree: Royal is the team to beat

Highlanders have swagger, but Simi isn't backing down

By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

Former Dallas Cowboys head coach and current FOX football analyst Jimmy Johnson once said: "In order to talk the talk, you need to walk the walk." Royal High's wrestling team has done both this season. More...

Simi hoopsters lose at T.O.

The comeback came up short. After digging themselves a double-digit first-half deficit, the Simi Valley High boys' basketball team rallied late but lost at Thousand Oaks, 6662, Wednesday night. More...

Click here for all stories

Faith

The Art of Being

"Integrity simply means not violating one's own identity." —Erich Fromm Your self is watching Late one night an old and very wise master teacher took his students into the village and said to them, "I am old and helpless and have no More...

Potluck dinner at B'nai Emet

Congregation B'nai Emet will host a dairy potluck dinner at 6:30 p.m. Fri., Jan. 9 at the temple, 9 W. Bonita Drive, Simi Valley. A Sabbath service will follow at 8 p.m. The public is welcome. More...

Click here for all stories

Obituaries

Full Story

Click here for all stories

Vacation Photos

Take Your Simi Valley Acorn on Vacation

DON'T NEEDLE US—Gayle, Don and D'Arci Parker of Simi Valley celebrate the New Year with their favorite community newspaper at Gas Works Park in Seattle. The Space Needle can be seen in the distant background. More...

Click here for all stories

Neighbors

Cop-turned-cook steals show with signature mac and cheese

Local man wins $25,000 and his recipe placed on TGIF's menu

By Carissa Marsh cmarsh@theacorn.com

Kraft's blue box has nothing on Rick Massa. The 58-year-old Simi resident proved that Sunday night when his five-cheese mac and cheese took the top prize in the comfort food round of Food Network's "Ultimate Recipe Showdown. More...

How to make Rick's awardwinning mac and cheese

Cheese Lovers 5 cheese Mac and Cheese Recipe courtesy Rick Massa Kosher salt 1 (16ounce) package maca roni (cellentani or other curly noodle) ¼ pound bacon, More...

Click here for all stories