Birds fly locally, too

One day after Sept. 11, doves of peace flew over Las Virgenes.

Owner Janice Lee, who operates a local dove rental service, released the birds at a ceremony last week honoring the heroes and victims of 9-11. Lee is a councilwoman in Calabasas.

The Agoura/Oak Park/Las Virgenes Chamber of Commerce sponsored the event during a mixer at the Adobe Cantina.

Former Lost Hills Sheriff’s Capt. John O’Brien was the guest speaker.

"If you hear the Pledge of Allegiance and you get a lump in your throat, you’re probably in the right place," said O’Brien, a 32-year veteran of law enforcement. "If you hear America the Beautiful and get a lump in your throat, you’re probably in the right place.

"It’s pleasing to reach out and praise the daily heroes who are out there," O’Brien said.

Lee, who’s also a member of the Calabasas Chamber of Commerce, released 21 doves into the late afternoon sky.

"In this way we commemorate the ones who perished and the ones who live on," Lee said.

More than 75 area business people and public officials attended the ceremony, including Adobe Cantina owner Carlos Orozco.

"There are just a lot of emotions that I don’t know how to express," said Orozco, impressed with the day’s events.

The Chamber and the Wellness Community will host a casino night fundraiser Sept. 21 at Calamigos Ranch in Agoura. The Chamber’s next mixer is Oct. 17 at Chuy’s Restaurant in Agoura Hills.

The group also meets every Wednesday at noon for its "Business Builders" networking lunch.

For more information about the "Dice and Ice" casino fundraiser, the mixers, and the weekly networking, call the Chamber of Commerce at (818) 889-3150.

—John Loesing