July 10, 2009 RSS feed / Front Page

001p1_xlg.jpg

Flame-broiled fun on July Fourth

GIMME SOME OF THAT GOOD OL' HOLIDAY COOKIN' More...

LAPD detective pleads not guilty to 1986 slaying

By Carissa Marsh cmarsh@theacorn.com

A veteran Los Angeles Police Department detective from Simi Valley charged with premeditated murder pleaded not guilty Monday to the decadesold slaying of her ex-boyfriend's wife. More...

Health & Wellness

Help available for homeless students

By Michelle Knight knight@theacorn.com

Homeless students in Ventura County and around the state will soon be getting a helping hand. More...

Learn the real skinny on fats

When it comes to maintaining a healthy diet, all fats are not created equal. A common misconception is that all fats are bad, when in fact some fats are essential and are needed for energy, vitamin absorption and cell function. More...

New medicines to target specific diseases affecting African Americans

There's good news for members of the African American community who are at risk for asthma, diabetes and sickle-cell disease. More...

Click here for all stories

Schools

School district closes offices on Fridays in July to cut costs

Move will save district about $5,500, official says

In an effort to reduce utility expenses over the summer, Simi Valley Unified School District has shut down their offices on Fridays With the exception of Simi Valley Adult School and designated summer school sites and high school campuses, al More...

Simi student fulfills dream of becoming a Bruin and cadet

Zachary Kiefer earns full Air Force ROTC scholarship
By Ashley Cordes Special to the Acorn

Zachary Kiefer will make the big leap from Moorpark College to UCLA in the fall. More...

Foundation scholarships awarded

The Simi Valley Education Foundation awarded five, $1,000 scholarships to local students to attend college, technical or vocational schools. More...

Click here for all stories

Sports

Players, coaches stress importance of summer ball

By Stephen Dorman sdorman@theacorn.com

Royal High third baseman Billy Conard views summer baseball as an opportunity to establish himself as a team leader for the Highlanders. More...

Talent on display

The Valley Invitational Baseball League will play a pair of All-Star games Saturday at Birmingham High. Game times are set for 3 and 6:30 p.m. Royal's Billy Conard, Ryan Cerda and Cody Buckel are on Team 3 and will play at 3 p.m. More...

Simi girls to play tourney final this weekend

TOP CONTENDERS—The Simi Valley girls' U-12 Gold softball team was a finalist at the Northridge Tournament and has advanced to this weekend's Western 'B' State Tournament. More...

Click here for all stories

Family

Women take to Harleys for cancer

The fourth annual Ventura Harley-Davidson "Heels & Wheels Ride" for women is scheduled for Sat., July 18 starting in Camarillo. Check-in is 9 a.m. at Ventura Harley-Davidson, 1326 Del Norte Road, Camarillo. Riders will depart at 10 a.m. More...

Slip sliding into fun

ESCAPING THE HEAT—Idaho resident Cassidy Nash, 7, and her 4-year-old brother, Trevocame to visit family in Simi Valley and enjoy the 39th annual Fourth of July Festival and FireworkExtravaganza at Rancho Santa Susana Park. More...

Losers are winners

My 5-year-old son recently asked if he could be a loser. Let me back up a bit. About a month ago, my wife decided to walk in a community run. She was very excited to participate—as long as she could drag me along. More...

Click here for all stories

Letters

Message to family of boy killed in 2007 accident

To the Hansen family: I'd like to express my deepest sympathy for the loss of your son Travis. I send my condolences, although late, I know. I have come to realize how much time has passed. I hope I am not too late to send this letter. More...

For the record

A letter in last week's Acorn incorrectly stated that the Apple Cottage Gifts & Interiors store in the Mervyn's shopping center on Cochran Street was closed. It is not. More...

Bring back the dance floor at Candlelight

I am a frequent Candlelight guest. Being in my 20s, this is probably the best place that Simi Valley has to offer for the 21-plus crowd. More...

Click here for all stories

Neighbors

Huckabee talks education, healthcare, taxes

Former presidential hopeful critical of Obama's polices
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

Former Arkansas governor and Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee spoke to a sold-out audience at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley on June 29. Former first lady Nancy Reagan was in attendance. More...

Annual Stand Down event gives homeless veterans a hand up

The 17th annual Ventura County Stand Down, which assists veterans in breaking out of the cycle of homelessness, will take place Fri. to Sun., July 24 to 26 at the California Army National Guard Armory in Ventura. More...

Miss Simi contestants to dazzle in pageant

Eight young women will compete for the Miss Simi Valley 2009 and Miss Teen Simi Valley 2009 titles at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow, July 11 at the High Street Arts Center, 45 E. High St., Moorpark. More...

Click here for all stories

Simi dentist reopens office after shooting 'nightmare'

Co-workers talk about soft-spoken victim
By Carissa Marsh cmarsh@theacorn.com

Family Dental Care in Simi reopened for business Tuesday, but employees were still shaken by the shooting tragedy at the office less than a week earlier and the loss of their coworker, 24-year-old Mariela Paredes. Dr. More...

Feds nix city's plan to use community block grants for memorial

Metrolink crash monument is expected to cost $151,500
By Carissa Marsh cmarsh@theacorn.com

Despite approval by the City Council, Simi Valley's proposal to use $100,000 in federal funds to build the Metrolink Memorial Plaza has been denied by federal officials. More...

Plan requires Simi Valley residents to be water-wise

By Carissa Marsh cmarsh@theacorn.com

Starting this month, about a third of Simi residents must reduce their water consumption by 15 percent each billing cycle, according to a new rationing plan by Golden State Water Company. More...

Community

New hours for self-help centers

Scheduling changes have been put into effect for each of the Ventura County Superior Court's selfhelp centers, which provide free informational assistance for litigants who represent themselves. All self-help centers will close at 4 p.m. More...

Tax roll declines

Ventura County Assessor Dan Goodwin announced the assessment roll for 20092010 decreased by 2.34 percent this year. The assessment roll provides the basis for computing most of county government's generalpurpose tax revenue. More...

Race for sheriff's office begins

ELECTION 2010—Above, Cmdr. Geoff Dean with the Ventura County Sheriff's Department announces his candidacy for sheriff during a press conference in Constitution Park June 25. More...

Click here for all stories

Business

Massage Center in T.O. a Wonderful Respite

Massage Center in Thousand Oaks and Chatsworth offers a one-hour massage for $30. The center is a massage therapy school which graduated more than 175 new massage therapists last year. More...

Quality Credit Solutions helps improve FICO scores

With stricter loan requirements enforced by lending agencies, having a high credit score is imperative. LoanSmart Inc. has launched a new division, Quality Credit Solutions, to assist consumers with improving their FICO scores. More...

Bridges Heads Nine Family Clinics

Community Memorial Health System has promoted Kimberly Bridges, registered nurse, as director of its nine Center for Family Health offices in Ventura County. More...

Click here for all stories

Pets

Pet of the Week

A SINGING CAT?—MJ is a 5-year-old male cat. He is curious, active and tolerant. If you would like to adopt MJ, ask for animal ID No. A471323 at the Camarillo Animal Shelter, 600 Aviation Drive. More...

Click here for all stories

Police

Police Blotter

A 19-year-old man from Granada Hills was arrested for burglary July 1 for stealing from Jersey Mike's Subs in the 2700 block of E. Cochran Street. More...

Click here for all stories

Faith

Faith leaders successfully push tobacco legislation

Landmark legislation approved June 11 by the Senate gives the Food and Drug Administration authority to effectively regulate the manufacture, marketing and sale of tobacco products. More...

Church to host money management classes

Discovery Church offers a free, threeweek workshop on discovering financial peace and money management from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, July 15, 22 and 29 at the church, 530 E. Easy St., Simi Valley. According to the Rev. More...

Click here for all stories

Dining & Entertainment

Exceptional singing sells this grisly classic

By Sally Carpenter sallyc@theacorn.com

Revenge is a dish best served piping hot and spicy—inside a meat pie—in Camarillo Community Theatre's current production of the Tony Awardwinning musical "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street." Stephen Sondheim provided More...

Citrus Fest offers 'sweet life'

The 42nd annual Citrus Festival of Santa Paula will take place July 17 to 19 at Harding Park, 1300 E. Harvard Blvd., Santa Paula. Hours are 5 to 11 p.m. Fri., July 17 and noon to 11 p.m. Sat. and Sun., July 18 and 19. More...

Click here for all stories

Editorials

Biting the hand that feeds them

Contract negotiations between the city of Simi Valley and the Simi Police Officers Association have been going on for several months now, and even after the adoption of a budget in June, word is the two sides remain far apart. More...

Cartoon

Full Story

Click here for all stories

Datebook

Datebook

FRI., JULY 10 Used Book Sale At Newbury Park Branch Library, 2331 Borchard Road. 6 to 8:30 p.m. today. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. 35 cents children's books. 50 cents paperbacks, $1 hardcover. More...

Click here for all stories

Real Estate

Located Close To Hiking Trails, Park, Middle Schools, High Schools And Shopping

This four-bedroom house has a bonus loft and downstairs office. The property backs to open space and includes a large grassy backyard with patio area. More...

Click here for all stories