Here’s how to send items to servicemen, women in Iraq
     For many servicemen and women fighting the war in Iraq, the holidays can be especially difficult. While countless soldiers receive letters, packages and gifts to ease loneliness during their time away from home, many servicemen and women receive none.
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Report in Calabasas says money was wasted in fight against Ahmanson
By Michael Picarella
Acorn Staff Writer
     Calabasas released a report last week that says that the city mismanaged the Ahmanson Ranch litigation. Ahmanson was a 3,050-home, two-golf-course development that Washington Mutual wanted to build north of Calabasas in Ventura County.
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LVUSD Board reorganizes
     The board of education in Las Virgenes Unified School District (LVUSD) reorganized at last week
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Resident didn’t like Heschel’s ads
By Stephanie Bertholdo
Acorn Staff Writer
     The controversy between Old Agoura residents and Heschel West Day School over whether its elementary and middle school campus should be built on a 70-acre site east of Chesebro and Palo Comado Canyon roads, about one mile west of its current facility in Agoura Hills, surfaced again at last week
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For the record
     Condoleezza Rice had to cancel her appearance at the Reagan Library.
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College-prep English course coming to local high schools
By Stephanie Bertholdo
Acorn Staff Writer
     The curriculum council has won approval by Las Virgenes Unified School District
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Acorn subscribers help the needy
     Thanks to readers who participated in a voluntary subscription drive, The Acorn and the Thousand Oaks Acorn recently gave money to two worthy causes, the Santa Comes to Agoura and Beyond food drive and to Hospice of the Conejo.
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Recall of vehicle registration fees to cost $870,000 in Agoura Hills
By Stephanie Bertholdo
Acorn Staff Writer
     Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
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Hospice care makes a difference
Co-owners hope people are treated well in their final daysSpecial to The Acorn
By Claire Vereczky Malis
     Realizing how much her mother had suffered from lack of compassionate care as she succumbed to breast cancer in the 1980s, Shelley Chilton vowed to make a difference.
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Volunteers help students with disabilities
     Disability Accommodation Services at California State University Channel Islands is actively recruiting volunteers to read textbooks for students with print-related disabilities.
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Native American celebration is this weekend
     Mountains Restoration Trust will host a Native American Winter Solstice Celebration from noon to 5 p.m. Sat., Dec. 20 at Headwaters Corner, Old Topanga Canyon Road and Mulholland Highway in Calabasas.
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Wildfire victims offered help
     Cars 4 Causes has announced that, based upon donations received by members of the community in support of recent wildfires, financial resources will be available to individuals and families whose homes were either severely damaged or destroyed due to the Ventura County wildfires.
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Students honored for artwork
     Three local students were recently honored by the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District for having their artwork selected to appear in the 2004 Metropolitan Water District (MWD) calendar.
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Vacationers warned about bringing home illegal souvenirs
     Visiting the Caribbean? Be careful when it comes to souvenir purchases, warns World Wildlife Fund.
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Serving in Uniform
     Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class A.A. Pinto-Velasco recently departed on a routine, scheduled deployment while assigned to the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, homeported in Mayport, Fla.
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Teachers get first look at middle school
     MICHAEL COONS/The Acorn GETTING READY TO OPEN-Math teacher Becky Grantham takes pictures of the multipurpose room during a recent tour for faculty at the new A.C. Stelle Middle School in the city of Calabasas.
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Conejo Democrats appoint new officers
     LISA ADAMS/The Acorn NEW OFFICERS-During the Democratic Club of the Conejo Valley's annual holiday party last week at the Cameron Center, new club officers (from left to right) took office.
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Classical music studies available
     Recent studies have shown that nearly 60 percent of the U.S. population is interested in classical music. Studies have also proven that young people with arts and music exposure score higher on SATs.
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Woods finishes two strokes behind winner in T.O.
     MICHAEL COONS/The Acorn STRONG FINISH-Tiger Woods shows disappointment after missing his birdie shot on the 18th hole during the final round of the fifth annual Target World Challenge Golf Tournament at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks on Sunday.
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Autism will be discussed
     Ventura County Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) will host a workshop titled "Social Thinking" from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thurs., Jan. 8 at Ventura County SELPA, 777 Aileen St., Camarillo.
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Students honored for being pen pals
Heschel West kids showed support for U.S. military
     Members of the Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron One One Seven, or VAW-117, based at Pt. Mugu Naval Air Station, attended the Heschel West Day School
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MTA to offer free rides on Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve
     MTA will offer free rides on Christmas Eve and New Year
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City of Westlake Village to award grants for community service
     The city of Westlake Village is accepting applications for its 2004 Community Services Grant Program. The city recognizes the value of local organizations who provide specialized social services and cultural programs that benefit the citizens of Westlake Village.
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Christmas tree recycling coming to curbsides
     Residents in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County can get their Christmas trees carried away again this year. This free service allows residents to recycle their trees into compost, mulch, or ground cover by simply placing their trees at curbside for recycling between Dec.
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Agoura Hills wins community honor
     Agoura Hills was recently honored by the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (JPIA) for "superior risk management."
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Stars read classic princess stories
     READING STARS--Andrew McFarlane of the TV show "My Wife and Kids" and Ashley Edner of the movies "The House of Sand and Fog" and "Spy Kids 3D: Game Over" read stories from "Disney's Princesses" over the weekend at the Point of View department in Nordstrom's at the Topanga Mall in Canoga Park.
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Auto Mall to host food, toy drive for Manna
     The Thousand Oaks Auto Mall will host its seventh annual Food and Toy Drive for MANNA, the Conejo Valley Food Bank, by placing 32 collection bins in dealership showrooms around the Auto Mall.
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Cheerleaders decorate cars before big game
     MICHAEL COONS/The Acorn FINAL PREPARATIONS-Oak Park High School cheer-leaders Lauren Borg, left, and Emily Rich decorate a car at the campus of OPHS with "Beat OC" before Saturday's championship game with Oaks Christian.
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Credit card debt drops in U.S.
     According to the annual Credit Card Survey by Myvesta.org, a nonprofit consumer education organization, the average amount of credit card debt carried by individuals has dropped by 29.
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Is Hypnosis the Right Choice
     for You?
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Local Retailer Helps Law Enforcement
     GOING TO A GOOD PLACE-Wilshire Home Entertainment, Panasonic Company West and the T.O. Rotary Club cooperatively give a high definition large screen TV and surround sound system to the Ventura County Deputy Sheriff's Association (DSA).
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Pleasing
Their Clients Top Priority
at Savvy
Salon and
Day Spa
     Savvy Salon & Day Spa opened its new facility this fall in the North Ranch Pavilion, 1165 Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village. Proprietors Michael Hawkins and Susan Hughes converted a vacant former daycare center into a 6,500 sq.ft.
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The Oaks Mall Offers Shopping Suggestions for Men
     The Oaks Shopping Center in Thousand Oaks offers "Advice to Shopping-Challenged Males" by providing the following tips in the spirit of the holiday season for the clueless among us.
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Financial Advisor in Thousand Oaks Earns Distinction
     Patricia A. Fishman, a financial advisor with American Express in Thousand Oaks, has been selected for the company
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Casa Escobar Restaurant Opens in Malibu, Offers and Extraordinary Sunday Brunch
     Casa Escobar Restaurant opened recently in Malibu. Kathy Escobar has continued in her family
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Open House Scheduled for Men’s Center
     The West Coast Men
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Eye Warehouse
Welcomes New Optician
     Eye Wearhouse has welcomed Joshua Bird as new managing optician. Bird has extensive experience in the optical field, having previously worked for Lenscrafters and others.
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