March 4, 2011 RSS feed / Front Page

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Kids taking charge

High schoolers have their say at Youth Summit
By Carissa Marsh
cmarsh@theacorn.com
The 10th annual Youth Summit brought together energetic and focused high school students from across Simi Valley last week, all dedicated to making their community a better place. More...

Free Clinic celebrates 40 years of compassion

By Carissa Marsh
cmarsh@theacorn.com

Fueled by the idealism of the ’60s and the desire to meet the needs of a young but growing community, the Free Clinic of Simi Valley opened its doors on March 1, 1971. More...

Health & Wellness

Hospital hosting community blood drive

Simi Valley Hospital and the American Red Cross will host a community blood drive from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tues., March 15 in the Cafe Conference Room at the hospital, 2975 N. Sycamore Drive. More...

Tee up for Wellness Community

The third annual Rich Rashi Golf Classic, Mon., March 7 at Sunset Hills Country Club in Thousand Oaks, will benefit cancer support programs of the Wellness Community Valley/ Ventura. More...

Simi woman launches county’s first dialysis support group

By Angela Randazzo
Special to the Acorn

When her kidneys started to fail two years ago as the result of her 23-year battle with diabetes, Sheryl Glatt was forced to go on dialysis. More...

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Sports

Amgen Tour unveils route

The eighth and final stage of the 2011 Amgen Tour of California professional cycling race will begin in Santa Clarita at the Town Center mall and end at Thousand Oaks City Hall on Sun., May 22. More...

Power Ali

Mosier makes the Highlanders go
By Eliav Appelbaum
eliav@theacorn.com

Ali Mosier might be the smallest player on the diamond, but she packs plenty of wallop. The junior shortstop for the Royal High softball team has a ferocious game-face. But she also knows how and when to keep things light. More...

Gockel-Figge grappling at state meet

A Pioneer is going for gold in Bakersfield. Simi Valley High junior wrestler William Gockel-Figge will compete at the CIF State Wrestling Championships this weekend at Rabobank Arena. More...

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Police

Police Blotter

Feb. 20 During a traffic stop at E. Cochran Street and Caldwell Avenue, a 19-year-old man was arrested on a charge of possession of alcohol by an underage driver. Feb. 21 At the Albertsons in the 5100 block of E. More...

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Family

Simi Y scores $20K grant

Money will help kids from low-income families
By Carissa Marsh
cmarsh@theacorn.com

The Simi Valley Family YMCA recently received a $20,000 grant that will enable the children of low- income families to attend the Y’s afterschool child care program. More...

Meeting to discuss activities for special needs kids, adults

Rainbow Connection will host speakers from Special Equestrian Riding Therapy of Moorpark and Ventura County Special Olympics to introduce activities designed for children and adults with special needs at four informal free meetings open to all parent More...

Fossil and gem show this weekend

The Ventura Gem and Mineral Society will present the 49th annual Ventura Gem, Mineral, Lapidary and Fossil Show at the Ventura County Fairgrounds/Seaside Park, Ventura. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat., March 5 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sun., March 6. More...

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Letters

Race to the Top robs Californians

Who do our elected federal officials represent? Isn’t it supposed to be us, their California constituents? More...

Expansion would hurt home prices

I am afraid that the expansion of the Simi Valley Landfill will lower the price of homes in Simi Valley. It will triple the size of the landfill to 887 acres, double the disposable trash intake to 6,000 tons per day and relocate G.I. More...

Republicans eager for impeachment

The two letters you printed recently about the “ Impeach Obama” campaign being pushed by the GOP (“greed over people”) and tea bagger people reminds me of a conversation I had at one of the tea party rallies I attended last ye More...

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Editorials

Political football needs to end

The calendar says it’s basketball season, hockey season, baseball season. Take your pick. It certainly does not say it’s football season. More...

Political Cartoon

Full Story

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Neighbors

Simi’s ‘seriously funny’ kid

Local 5-year-old talks his way into television spotlight
By Carissa Marsh
cmarsh@theacorn.com

How many 5-year-olds know who Heidi Klum is? Better yet, how many aspire to be the next Michael Kors? Or deliver couture criticisms with the sharpness of Nina Garcia? More...

Park offering overnight party

Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District will present a local area network lock-in party from 10 p.m. Fri., March 18 through 7 a.m. Sat., March 19 at the Rancho Santa Susana Community Center, 5005-C Los Angeles Ave. More...

Taming Simi Valley’s tough terrain

JUST FOR THE RUN OF IT—Hundreds of participants— including some of the four-legged variety—turned out for the third annual Bandit Trail Ultra Run, which took place Feb. More...

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Landfill discussions devolve into council chaos

Becerra, Sojka draw heat for unveiling ‘must have’ list
By Carissa Marsh
cmarsh@theacorn.com

Discussion of the proposed expansion of the Simi Valley Landfill has often been heated. The large project could have significant impacts on the community if approved. More...

City finances on track at midpoint

By Carissa Marsh
cmarsh@theacorn.com

Simi Valley’s financial status at the midpoint of the 2010-11 fiscal year is looking better than it has in the past several years, according to the city’s budget staff, with revenues not just meeting but exceeding expenditures. More...

Community

Firefighter of the Year stays cool when heat is on

By Darleen Principe
darleen@theacorn.com

Capt. Phil Hadley of the Ventura County Fire Department has responded to many “unique” emergencies throughout his career. More...

Registration open for Backbone Trail trek

Persons interested in a guided hike of the entire 67-mile Backbone Trail across the Santa Monica Mountains should register during March for the 10th annual Backbone Trek, which begins Sat., May 7. More...

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Business

Website puts small businesses at consumer’s fingertips

Service providers can place bids for local jobs

The website www.pro-Bids.com connects local consumers with small businesses and professionals in a simple, fast and free online venue. More...

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Schools

Save this school!

WALKING FOR A CAUSE—Supporters of the Family Connection Preschool and Day Care Center take part in a protest walk Feb. 27 along Sycamore Road near Simi Valley Hospital. More...

Santa Su senior turns passion for music to community service

Teen planning concert to aid Valley Vet Clinic
By Carissa Marsh
cmarsh@theacorn.com

Santa Susana High School senior Alex Sill is channeling his passion for music into a cause close to his family’s heart. Music for Life, a benefit concert set for 6:30 p.m. More...

Toastmasters fosters confidence

The Simi Valley Toastmasters Club No. 3533 meets at 7:30 p.m. every Thursday at 5300 E. Los Angeles Ave. off Stearns Street, Simi Valley. More...

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Pets

Pet of the Week

READY TO ROMP—Shadow is a 10-month-old female brown tabby domestic shorthair cat. She is very friendly and loves belly rubs. More...

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Faith

Buddhist Center opens doors to new home

Guided tours, free meditation workshop offered

The Tushita Kadampa Buddhist Center, home to a thriving Buddhist community, has outgrown the Thousand Oaks location it has occupied since 2008 and has moved to a larger space to accommodate an expanded schedule of classes, workshops and retreats. More...

Musical Methodists sing Broadway classics

Admission benefits music ministry

The music ministry at the United Methodist Church of Westlake Village will present a musical fundraiser titled “Methodist Madness Goes Broadway!” at 7 p.m. Sat., March 5 in the church sanctuary, 1049 S. Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village. More...

B’nai Emet hosts Purim Ball

In celebration of Purim, Congregation B’nai Emet will host a “Black and White Purim Masquerade Ball” at 8 p.m. Sat., March 12 at the synagogue, 9 W. Bonita Drive, Simi Valley. More...

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Dining & Entertainment

Rare posters coming to Town Center

An exhibit of rare, original military posters, art and propaganda from World War I through the present day will open tomorrow at Simi Valley Town Center. The assortment features pieces commissioned by the U.S. More...

The MOVIE Nut

Things may not be what they seem, both inside and outside of Dr. Harris’ bruised head

This one caught me with the trailer. One reason: Liam Neeson makes some pretty decent thrillers for thinking cinephiles. More...

Restored 1913 locomotive will make appearance at Rail Fest

The No. 14 Baldwin Steam Engine 2-8-0 locomotive, originally built in 1913 and restored in 2010, was introduced to the public at an open house on Feb. 3 at the train station in Fillmore. More...

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Columns

On the Trail

A dispatch from Gopher Gap

Meep! Meep! Meep! We interrupt this column to sound the warning of enemy trespass. Yes, he’s back: Jaws Without Fins! He-who-yanks-bristling-agaves into the nethermost reaches! Attila the Hun with buck teeth and cute furry little ears. More...

THE OTHER Side of 50

Curiosity boosts the brain

For the most part, our own education wasn’t on our minds as we raised our families and toiled away at our jobs. More...

Earth talk:

Catching up on high-speed rail

Dear EarthTalk: Vice president Joe Biden just announced a commitment of $53 billion by the Obama administration to highspeed rail. Isn’t it about time? Why is the U.S. More...

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Datebook

Datebook

FRI., MARCH 4 Friends Of Thousand Oaks Library Used Book Sale More...

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