March 13, 2009 RSS feed / Front Page

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Water conservation laws trickle down

At MWD's heeding, city is considering new ordinance
By Carissa Marsh cmarsh@theacorn.com
At the request of Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the city of Simi Valley is looking into an ordinance that will encourage water conservation but could also restrict activities that contribute to water waste. More...

Former Homeland Security chief talks tough on terrorism

By Carissa Marsh cmarsh@theacorn.com

His term of office may be over, but former Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff remains a staunch supporter of that department's role in protecting the American people. While it's been more than seven years since the Sept. More...

Health & Wellness

Nonprofit receives grant to aid older seniors

Those with disabilities can find help

The Swift Memorial Health Care Foundation recently awarded Villa Esperanza Services with a $2,500 grant to provide care management services to older seniors in Ventura County. More...

Spring into free Simi health fair

The Simi Valley Unified School District will host a Spring Into Health Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sat., March 21 at Vista Elementary School, 2715 Wisteria St., Simi Valley. The event is free for the whole family. More...

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Schools

Trustee wants school board to address use of breathalyzers at school functions

'We can't let a budget crisis threaten the safety of our students. To turn our backs on them is unacceptable. The time is now.'
By Eliav Appelbaum eliav@theacorn.com

Simi Valley school board member Rob Collins said his fellow trustees are "not ready to focus on our students" during Tuesday's meeting at City Hall. More...

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Police

String of catalytic converter thefts reported in the region

During the last two months, cities in Los Angeles and Ventura counties have experienced an increase in catalytic converter thefts from vehicles. Simi Valley police reported 17 such thefts between Jan. More...

Cops catch alleged gas station crook

A Mission Hills man was arrested last week after he allegedly broke into a Simi Valley gas station and then returned to the crime scene days later. More...

Police Blotter

On March 4, a 24-year-old woman was arrested and charged with possession of narcotics at Morley and Heywood streets. In the 400 block of Bard Street, an 18-year-old man was arrested and charged with receiving stolen property March 4. More...

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Family

A red, white and blue Lincoln birthday bash

California Lutheran University and the Ronald Reagan Foundation will present "Red, White and Blue: The Americana Experience," a tribute in honor of the bicentennial of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, on Thurs., March 26 at the Reagan Library, 40 P More...

Easter Bunny back at Town Center

The Easter Bunny will arrive at Simi Valley Town Center at 11 a.m. Fri., March 20 immediately after a performance by the YMCA Children's Dance Group. More...

Choir to present patriotic performance

The Royal High School Choir will present a concert, "Tribute to America," at 7:30 p.m. Thurs., March 19 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 1305 Royal Ave., Simi Valley. Admission is open to the public. More...

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Letters

Simi Valley's teachers facing difficult times

If this letter is in the Acorn then it is Pink Friday, and it is a sad day for Simi Valley's children. The article in the March 6 issue explained how Simi Unified has to give pink slips to about 230 teachers today. More...

Decision-makers need to get priorities straight

Okay, so let me get this straight, more than 200—I'll repeat that— more than 200 Simi Valley teachers will be receiving a pink slip for possible layoff because of budget issues here and across the state, disregarding the impact it More...

We're living in an age of mediocrity

Once again our elected leaders are demonstrating a total and complete disregard, almost contempt, for the same people that elected them. This feels all too apparent from our governor to our own City Council. More...

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Vacation Photos

Take Your Simi Valley Acorn on Vacation

SCHOOL'S OUT—Bill and Sandi Havis of Simi Valley take three of their grandchildren—Haley, Evans and Robert—to Maui, Hawaii, for their graduation gift. They're at a luau at Kaanapali Beach. More...

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Neighbors

Still can't beat a good book

STORY TIME— Clockwise from top, Good Shepherd Lutheran School teachers Donna Lucas and Amy Babel enjoy the comfort of their pajamas as they read a story about a doughnut to students during the school's fourth annual Dr. More...

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Real Estate

Features A Tuscan-Style Kitchen

This Rolling Hills estates home has been remodeled. The entire first level has Walker Zanger travertine flooring. More...

Steve Young

Steve Young was recently acknowledged for consistent high production. He has been a Realtor with Century 21 for 30 years. More...

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Future in question for more than 200 Simi Valley teachers

By Eliav Appelbaum eliav@theacorn.com

Around 230 of Simi Valley's 1,000 teachers will find out before the end of the day whether they need to consider looking for work elsewhere. More...

Vision for train crash memorial comes to life

By Carissa Marsh cmarsh@theacorn.com

After months of discussion and the input of dozens of residents, the city has produced an artist's rendering of a memorial to honor the victims of the Sept. 12 Metrolink crash. More...

Community

For the record

•An Acorn story last week encouraged cellphone owners to register their numbers with the National Do Not Call Registry at www.donotcall.gov. More...

Committee chair to speak with local Dems

The Simi Valley/Moorpark Democratic Club will meet at 7 p.m. Wed., March 18 at the Simi Valley Library community room, 2969 Tapo Canyon Road. More...

GOP women set to gather

The Simi Valley/Moorpark Republican Women Federated will have a luncheon and general membership meeting on Fri., March 20 at Posada Royale, 1775 Madera Road, Simi Valley. More...

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Sports

Royal Invite remains a top draw

By Eliav Appelbaum eliav@theacorn.com

Although the track meet is called the Royal Twilight Invite, the Highlanders hope they're not competing in the dark—literally. Royal High will host its annual earlyseason meet Saturday from 10 a.m. More...

Marmonte League spring preview: Baseball

Ballclubs catching the fever

Predicted order of finish After speaking with all eight Marmonte League baseball coaches—see our league preview on the following two pages— The Acorn 's sports department has come to a simple conclusion: It's impossible t More...

The Acorn's 2009 Marmonte Baseball Preview

Head coach: Zach Miller (2nd se Last season's results: 15-14, 7-8 Biggest losses: Cutter Dykstra, COF; Graham Johnson, P; Alex GilDe Jesus, P Notable returnees: Christian YelCF; Nick Correlli, 2B; Danny Nie Impact newcomer: More...

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Faith

Love the moment, like it or not

"Love the moment. Flowers grow out of dark moments. There fore, each moment is vital. It af fects the whole. More...

Scholar will discuss history of modern Israel

The Temple Etz Chaim Men's Club will sponsor a Scholar-in-Residence Weekend: The History of Modern Israel from Fri. to Sun., March 20 to 22 at the synagogue, 1080 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. The scholarinresidence will be Dr. More...

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On The Town

Shows, progress go on at Cultural Arts Center

By Carissa Marsh cmarsh@theacorn.com

The Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center is tightening its belt along with the rest of the city, spending less money than usual on projects to improve the 220-seat theater. More...

Sexual hijinx take center stage in comedy

Leave the kids at home for this performance

The Moorpark College Theatre Arts Department will contribute to the ongoing Year of Democracy celebration with its production of the controversial and classic Greek comedy "Lysistrata," on the Main Stage of the campus Performing Arts Center, More...

Country band to play at Arena

Local country artist Justin Honsinger and his all-star band will perform from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Sat., March 21 at the Arena Sports Grill and Bar, 999 Enchanted Way, Simi Valley Band member Steve Hills has written numerous No. More...

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Editorials

The fight has only begun

It has to start today. If we're going to prevent teacher layoffs from tearing at the heart of the Simi Valley school district, it's going to take hard work and sacrifice on the part of everyone, including the teachers. More...

Cartoon

Full Story

Guest opinion

City has history of supporting schools
By Mayor Paul Miller Special to the Acorn

I read with great interest the Feb. 27 editorial ("City should lend a helping hand to schools") regarding the financial position of the city of Simi Valley as com pared to Simi Valley Unified School District. More...

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Datebook

Datebook

FRI., MAR. 13 Conejo Valley Republican Women Federated Luncheon meeting at Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd. More...

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