By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

A local visit by the late actor Marlon Brando was the big news in Agoura 30 years ago this week. Brando was the main story and the subject of several photographs on the front page of The Acorn.

With state Sen. John Tunney by his side, the actor held a press conference in Liberty Canyon that week to donate 40 acres of land to the "Indians of America." A Redwing Indian named Semu accepted the donation of land located on rolling hills on the east side of Liberty Canyon near the end of Jim Bowie Road. Semu performed a blessing on the land and vowed to return in two weeks with other Indians to plant a tree, hold a feast and perform a ceremony. Brando stated that he would donate additional parcels of land to Native Americans in California and in other parts of the country.

In other news, a doe named Dancer disappeared two days before Christmas from John and Terry Costa’s property on Colodny Drive in Old Agoura. The Costas had acquired Dancer and a buck named Prancer just a few days earlier and asked Acorn readers to be on the lookout for the missing deer.

Emotions were in full force at that week’s Agoura Homeowner’s Association meeting, held at the home of a Mr. and Mrs. Santoro on Colodny Drive. Members, many of whom lived in custom homes, addressed concerns to Gilbert Eisner, deputy to County Supervisor Baxter Ward, about inadequate new construction and insufficient fire safety regulations. This "unplanned urbanization" included trailer-like, modular homes that were supposed to be part of a low-income housing plan but were being sold for an outrageous $60,000. Eisner promised to help and suggested homeowners write to their county authorities.

Local residents complained when a chain-link fence was constructed across an unpaved road that went through the area known as Sherwood Forest. This was an initial step taken in the plan to build a mobile home community. Renowned as the site of the 1930s production of "Robin Hood," starring Errol Flynn, the road was popular with locals who could drive to the back of Westlake’s dam and access hiking trails. It was also a convenient shortcut for residents in the canyons. Conservationists were concerned about bulldozers destroying the pristine oak forest. Louisa McLean, the writer of the article, promised to contact the property owner on behalf of upset residents.

Even a thief didn’t want Dorie Poremba’s car. The wife of the editor of this newspaper had her 1966 Thunderbird stolen while she was doing some last-minute holiday shopping at a department store. When she came out and saw that her car was missing, she called police. Within 30 minutes they located her Thunderbird, abandoned by the thief about a block away. Apparently the car was in such bad shape, it wasn’t even worth stealing. "If you want a theft-proof car like Dorie Poremba’s, she might be persuaded to let it go for a price," the article stated.

In the classifieds that week were ads for Amway products and Shaklee food supplements, cosmetics and biodegradable cleaners. Someone placed a "Wanted" ad for Chumash Indians or closest blood relatives to participate in local historic and cultural events.

The Acorn will be taking a look back at our first year’s issues through November, giving an historical perspective on "30 Years Ago in The Acorn." If you have memories to share from that time period, please send your submission to Sophia Fischer at sfischer2@yahoo.com or fax to (818)706-8942.