July 8, 2011 RSS feed / Front Page

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A star-spangled birthday bash

LET FREEDOM RING—Above, fireworks explode over Rancho Santa Susana Park during the 41st annual Simi Valley Fourth of July Festival and Fireworks Extravaganza on Monday. More...

Hospital asks for special overlay zone

By Carissa Marsh
cmarsh@theacorn.com

Since its humble beginnings nearly 46 years ago, Simi Valley Hospital has continued to grow. But the facility at the corner of Sycamore Drive and Avenida Simi has seen perhaps its most rapid development in just the past few years. More...

Health & Wellness

Simi woman tortured by ‘suicide disease’

Bronson to undergo brain surgery in search of relief
By Anna Bitong
annab@theacorn.com

Two years ago, Cyndie Bronson started to feel tingling on the right side of her face. “I wasn’t concerned about it. Then it started becoming more painful,” said the Simi Valley resident More...

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Business

Customer satisfaction No. 1 at Solar Universe

Shop offers broad spectrum of solar products

What makes Solar Universe different than other solar companies? Everyone says they are different, but are they? More...

Families cool off at swim club

Incorporated in 1952, the Las Posas Swim Club has been providing a welcome place for family recreation for nearly 60 years. The club is a private membership-only facility in a quiet secluded area of Camarillo. More...

Conejo doctor pioneer in cosmetic surgery

Edward Terino, M.D., has practiced in the Conejo Valley since the 1970s. He is known as having the longest and largest practice of plastic and cosmetic surgery in Ventura County. More...

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Sports

A real straight shooter

Royal student always on the mark
By Eliav Appelbaum
eliav@theacorn.com

Grant Baldwin has the steady hand of a sniper and the heart of a saint. He’s an outdoorsman who organizes meals for the homeless and hungry. More...

Conejo Valley Big League begins U.S. title defense

If early results are any indication, the Conejo Valley Big League All-Star team is going to play a lot of good baseball this summer. More...

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Pets

Pet of the Week

NEEDS A HOME—Captain is a 2-year-old brown brindle pit bull. He is a big sweetie, mellow, easygoing and excellent on a leash. He is also neutered. More...

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Family

Simi Hills invites families to golf

Simi Hills Golf Course in Simi Valley is joining forces with the PGA’s Play Golf America program to promote family golfing during July. Take Your Daughter to the Course Week will run through Sun., July 10. More...

FAMILY MEN Don't Wear Name Brands

Death Coaster

I’m a roller coaster freak. If it promises to kill its riders, I wanna go on it. However, I’m also a family man—I have a responsibility to live, and I can’t do things that threaten my life anymore. More...

Splish, splash having a blast!

UNDER THE RAINBOW—Locals and out-of-towners alike enjoy some relief from the weekend heat wave at the Rancho Tapo Community Park splash pad on Saturday. More...

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Dining & Entertainment

VFW sponsoring Gala USO dance

VFW Post 10049, in partnership with the Simi Valley Council on Aging, will sponsor a Gala USO dance and social at 6:30 p.m. Fri., July 8 at the Simi Valley Senior Center, 3700 Avenida Simi. More...

Cabrillo brings beloved musical to T.O. stage

‘The Sound of Music’ opens July 22

Cabrillo Music Theatre will present Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “The Sound of Music” Fri. through Sun., July 22 through 31 at the Fred Kavli Theatre, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. More...

City seeking members for arts board, foundation

The city of Simi Valley is seeking one alternative member to serve on the Simi Valley Arts Commission and one City Council appointed public member to serve on the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center Foundation to fill vacant positions. More...

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Editorials

Reading: a cool summer choice

When the rest of the country thinks about Southern California summers, they picture endless days of surfing, beach volleyball, sun bathing and barbecues. More...

Cartoon

Full Story

For the record

The July 1 edition of the Simi Valley Acorn contained an incomplete list of local students who were awarded scholarships by the Conejo Simi Moorpark Association of Realtors. More...

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Datebook

Calendar

FRI., JULY 8 Summerfest All Breed Dog Show 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 8, 9 and 10 at Seaside Park, Ventura County Fairgrounds, Ventura. Dogs compete for Best in Show. Vendors sell pet supplies. Free admission, $5 parking. Time: 8:00 a.m. Date: 7/8/2011 More...

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City officials offer own redistricting solutions

Council doesn’t want to see Simi split in two
By Carissa Marsh
cmarsh@theacorn.com

As the debate over where new voting district boundaries should be drawn rages throughout the state, Simi Valley city leaders have offered two alternatives that they feel would resolve local concerns by keeping the community and the county intact. More...

Safe driving pays off for Simi Valley motorists

By Carissa Marsh
cmarsh@theacorn.com

Nyles Burch was driving west on Royal Avenue, on his way to work, when Simi Valley Police Officer Don Anderson pulled up next to Burch’s gray pickup truck and motioned for the 19-year-old to roll down his window. More...

Community

Low-income housing effort gets City Council’s blessing

By Carissa Marsh
cmarsh@theacorn.com

To boost the amount of affordable housing in town, city leaders have agreed to partially finance Many Mansion’s third redevelopment project in Simi Valley if the nonprofit gets the state funding it needs to complete the project. More...

Man arrested in connection with church scam

By Carissa Marsh
cmarsh@theacorn.com

A Miami man was arrested last month on charges of scamming dozens of Simi Valley churchgoers in an alleged Ponzi scheme that hustled them out of more than $1 million. More...

City has collected $5K in graffiti fines

The Simi Valley Police Department recently reported that 14 graffiti suspects have been arrested during the past three months, resulting in civil assessments of $14,000 under the city’s graffiti ordinance. More...

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Schools

SVUSD adopts tentative budget

By Anna Bitong
annab@theacorn.com

The Simi Valley Unified School District adopted a tentative budget for the 2011-12 school year at its June 28 meeting. The board voted unanimously to approve a plan that would increase class sizes and furlough days through the 2013-14 school year. More...

Sign-ups open for YMCA child care

Southeast Ventura County YMCA branches serving the Conejo Valley, Simi Valley, Moorpark, Santa Rosa Valley, Westlake Village, Oak Park and Agoura are registering students for child care programs at school and child care sites for the 2011-12 school y More...

Stories that hook readers from beginning to end

Adventures in Reading
By Charli-Anne Hanna-Baker
Special to the Acorn

Are you bored with summer? Well, I’m here to tell you that summer can be a blast if you just pick up a book and read. Here are a couple of recommended books that I enjoyed; maybe you can enjoy them too! More...

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Police

Police Blotter

June 27 The following were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs: a man, 39, at Avenida Simi and Arenas Court, a man, 34, in the 5800 block of E. Los Angeles Avenue and a man, 52, at Heywood Street and Erringer Road. More...

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Faith

The Art of Being

The secret to going the distance is really no secret

“The pathway to the top of the mountain is lined with campsites along the way, occupied by those who yielded to the resistance of walking the path of uncertainty and who weren’t able to embody the deeper meaning of commitment to going the More...

Connecting

A tale of two couples

Bill and Marjorie had been married more than 30 years when Marjorie decided to return to school for a Master of Divinity. Bill was a successful business owner who presided over a company that had been in his family for some generations. More...

Sri Lanka native to discuss U.S. perceptions of Muslims

Forum to include Q&A session, conversation on cultivating peace

Soraya Deen, founder of Peaceworks, will give a talk and answer questions about “Being Muslim in America” at a community forum at 7:30 p.m. More...

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Letters

A big reason why Medicare is ailing

This letter is in regard to the lies Congress and President Obama keep telling the American people about Medicare going broke. Yes, Medicare is in very bad shape, I agree! More...

Fireworks draw glowing review

This year’s fireworks were fantastic! I am a fireworks junkie, and this year’s were the best. My family and friends go to the same spot each year as many others do here in Simi Valley. More...

A vote to allow lost pet signs

The economy might be why we see signs all over, but I agree with the “Lost Pet” signs, especially due to pets being family, and these signs display contact information. Garage sale signs that don’t are often abandoned. More...

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Neighbors

Eager Eagles

Trio of Simi Scouts secure organization’s highest honor
By Carissa Marsh
cmarsh@theacorn.com

Three Simi Valley teens were recognized last week for earning the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest a Boy Scout can attain. More...

Elks donate $7,900 to help disabled kids

Elks Lodge No. 2492 of Simi Valley has contributed more than $7,900 for use in treating children with disabilities. More than $3 million has been donated this year for the charity by Elks lodges throughout California and Hawaii. More...

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