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January 14, 2011 / Front Page

The gitbox gang

UNPLUGGED—Bruce Sackett and friends rock out during a jam session at Don Newcomer’s home in Simi Valley last week. The acoustic group meets often. See more photos on page 12. More...

Volunteers needed to help count the homeless

By Carissa Marsh
cmarsh@theacorn.com

Local agencies dedicated to helping the homeless are gearing up for the annual Homeless Count and are asking community members to volunteer their time for the tally. More...

The YMCA will begin swim lessons on Mon., Jan. 17. Lessons are offered Monday through Thursday and Saturdays. Group and private lessons for children, private lessons for adults and special needs lessons are available. More...

Paratransit group to meet

The ADA Paratransit Advisory Committee will meet at 3 p.m. Thurs., Jan. 20 at the Simi Valley Senior Center, 3900 Avenida Simi. The committee meets quarterly to review public paratransit issues affecting individuals with disabilities. More...

THE OTHER Side of 50

Conversation is often the best medicine

Imagine you’ve lived a rich, rewarding life. What would be most important to you in your dying days? Before reading further, think of at least one thing. More...

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Schools

Assembly tackles bullying through humor and a bit of magic

Crestview kids learn ways to prevent bullying

By Carissa Marsh
cmarsh@theacorn.com

Learning can often be fun, but can a subject as serious as bullying be taught in a way that’s fun as well as informative? That was the goal of an assembly at Crestview Elementary School last week. More...

Zootopia puts kids in touch with bugs, critters

Zootopia is a Ventura County nonprofit organization that provides wildlife and environmental education programs for children and families. More...

Simi musicians chosen to play with state honor bands

Andrew Huddleston, Stephanie Minjares and Shravya Dharmbhat have recently been selected to perform with two state honor bands. All three students are members of the Sinaloa Middle School Concert Band. More...

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Police

Police Blotter

Dec. 31A 20-year-old man and a 27-year-old man were arrested forbeing under the influence of acontrolled substance in the 1600block of E. More...

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Family

Girl Scouts gearing up for cookie rally, Brownilympics

Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast and California Lutheran University will host the second annual Cookie Rally and Bake-off from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sat., Jan. 15 at CLU’s Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center on the north side of W. More...

Boy Scout earns Eagle rank

The Simi Valley Elks recently hosted a Court of Honor for Eagle Scout David Anthony Gulotta at the Simi Valley Elks Banquet Room. Eagle is the highest earned rank in Boy Scouting. More...

Hyatt bridal show covers all things weddings

The Bridal Premiere, a day of wedding exhibits, food and fashion, will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sun., Jan. 16 at the Hyatt Westlake Plaza, 880 S. Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village. Tickets are $10 at the door and $ 8 online at www.bridalpremiere.com. More...

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Obituaries

David (Dave) A. Sobel

David (Dave) A. Sobel, 54, of Simi Valley passed away on Sunday, December 26, 2010, at Simi Valley Hospital, surrounded by family and friends. He was born July 2, 1956, in Los Angeles, California, the son of late Glory and Martin Sobel. More...

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Letters

Make affiliation with WM clear

It is absolutely beyond my comprehension how anyone of sound mind could possibly be pleased about more of other people’s garbage being dumped in our town, especially if we’re not being compensated for it in any way. More...

Possible schedule change frustrating

I am writing regarding the change in start date of future school years. As a parent of two children currently attending a SVU school I am deeply saddened, frustrated and angered by the possible change. More...

Nordal deserving of his big honor

I am delighted to read that Mr. Nordal has received Teacher of the Year. His story about being the first to play a brand-new tenor saxophone really hit home. More...

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Neighbors

Leadership class gives adults, youth in-depth look at hometown

Last Friday, a group of locals trekked around the city’s transit and public works maintenance facilities, toured the water quality control plant and then boarded a bus to check out the Simi Valley Landfill. More...

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Datebook

FRI., JAN. 14 West Valley Folk Dancers More...

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Landfill’s date with county postponed

By Carissa Marsh
cmarsh@theacorn.com

While the county had denied the mayor’s request to delay the review of the proposed expansion of the Simi Valley Landfill and Recycling Center, a change in hearing dates has given the city the additional time it sought to continue discussions w More...

At-risk youth: Are we doing enough to help?

By Carissa Marsh
cmarsh@theacorn.com

Simi resident June Ewart is passionate about serving youth, particularly those in crisis. Over the years she’s been involved in several organizations aimed at helping kids at risk, championing for more programs and more help. More...

When situation got hot, CHP officer kept cool

By Carissa Marsh
cmarsh@theacorn.com

Saving lives indirectly, by writing speeding tickets, is routine for a CHP officer. But saving a life on the spot by pulling a trapped driver from a burning vehicle? Officers don’t expect that scenerio when they’re out on patrol. More...

Community

Judge retires; replacement Ryan Wright takes bench

Ventura County Superior Court Judge John E. Dobroth retired on Jan. 3 after 24 years on the bench. More...

Park district making headway on projects

By Carissa Marsh
cmarsh@theacorn.com

Halfway through the fiscal year, the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District is making progress on its priority projects for 2010-11. More...

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Business

Family regains ownership of Lassen’s

Store offers organic, local foods

A new Lassen’s Natural Food and Vitamins store has opened at the same Simi Valley location where Peter Lassen set up shop with his parents back in 1994. More...

Experts caution: Don’t be tricked by ‘phantom riches’

This phantom lurks in every investment scam. Sometimes it takes the form of a big payoff, other times it may be the security of “guaranteed” returns. More...

Oakridge Athletic Club celebrates grand reopening

Oakridge Athletic Club will host a grand reopening to mark the completion of renovations to the club from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon., Jan. 24 at 2655 Erringer Road, Simi Valley. The public is invited. More...

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Sports

Learn about racehorse ownership

Thoroughbred Owners of California is offering a free seminar, “Ownership 101–An Introduction to Racehorse Ownership” at 8:30 a.m. Sat., Jan. More...

Pioneer girls remain red-hot out of the gate

Soccer squad stakes its claim as Marmonte’s best

By Eliav Appelbaum
eliav@theacorn.com

The Simi Valley High girls’ soccer team has the best offense, defense and midfield in the Marmonte League. That isn’t so much a bold opinion as a matter of fact, judging by the Pioneers’ gaudy statistics. More...

Round 1 for Royal, Simi hoops teams

The girls’ and boys’ varsity basketball teams from Simi Valley and Royal high schools will meet on the hardwood tonight for the first time this season. Simi Valley’s girls play host to Royal at 7 p.m. More...

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Faith

Local doctor to discuss work in Sudan

Veteran Camarillo emergency room physician Dr. Christopher Smith will talk about his three months of work in Sudan to establish a feeding program for malnourished children at a community forum Fri., Jan. 21. More...

Church hosts ‘Facing Your Giants’

Westlake Lutheran Church invites the community to a free presentation by Larry Patton on “Facing Your Giants.” The talk is at 6:30 p.m. on Sun., Jan. 16 at the church, located at 29295 Agoura Road in Agoura Hills. More...

Peace activist to speak at nonviolence event

Center celebrating season for peace

Global peace activist and author Azim Khamisa will be the guest speaker to kick off the Season for Peace and Nonviolence at 7 p.m. Wed., Jan. 26 at the Center for Spiritual Living Westlake, 880 Hampshire Road, Ste. V, Westlake Village. More...

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Dining & Entertainment

Song makers strum sweet melody

COMING TOGETHER IN MUSIC—Above, Bruce Sackett, Miles Gleason and Don Newcomer play and sing during a hoot at Newcomer’s home in Simi Valley on Jan. 5. More...

The MOVIE Nut

“Made in Dagenham”Directed by: Nigel ColeStarring: Sally Hawkins, BobHoskins, Daniel Mays,Miranda RichardsonRated: R (for adult language)Running time: 112 minut More...

Young playwrights present dark, comic works

By Sally Carpenter
sallyc@theacorn.com

Four imaginative local playwrights share their visions in an evening of original one-acts this weekend at the High Street Arts Center in Moorpark. More...

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