Water line break closes Kanan Road
     A 16-inch diameter water pipeline ruptured along Kanan Road Tuesday releasing an estimated 200,000 gallons of recycled water onto street, sidewalks and landscaping.
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Longtime Oak Park educator dies
     Millie Andress, a longtime high school educator who retired last year from the Oak Park Unified School District, died after suffering a heart attack while in Hawaii on vacation.
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Fund established for hurt deputy
     A relief fund has been established to help a local sheriff's deputy who was badly injured last month in the line of duty.
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FOR THE RECORD
     +It was reported last week that Jim Nielsen, director of secondary education at the district office, is serving as a social science teacher and the boy's head basketball coach at Calabasas High School.
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Got a beef?
     E-mail or fax your letter to the editor to the addresses on page 4.
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Pavley's global warming bill on verge of becoming new law
     Final language for legislation aimed at curbing global warming was met with approval in Sacramento and is expected to be passed into law shortly.
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Local recycling numbers come in high
By Michael Picarella pic@theacorn.com
     The cities of Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Malibu and Westlake Village have succeeded over the past year in collecting and recycling thousands of pounds of hazardous household materials.
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Smeck wins park superintendant award
     Each year the National Park Service recognizes employees for outstanding work in the field of park natural resources. The 2005 Director's Awards for Natural Resource Stewardship single out six NPS employees for their leadership and work on issues such as coral reef monitoring, grizzly bea
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Library gains reputation as local cultural center
     SEA TALES -Above, trellis shadows give an interesting look to the entrance of the Agoura Hills Library, which is currently hosting the exhibit "The Voyages of Zheng-He, 15th Century Chinese Admiral." Pieces from the exhibit, including the statue at right, celebrate the 600th anniversary of the Chine
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Freedom Walk to pay tribute to 9/11 victims
     U.S. troops, vets honored The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Military Connection.com are hosting the inaugural Simi Valley Freedom Walk at 5 p.m. Mon., Sept. 11 to pay tribute to the victims of the attacks of 9/11 and to honor U.S. troops and veterans.
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Take advantage of fire department training
     In a continuing effort to prepare the community for a disaster or any emergency, the city of Agoura Hills is sponsoring a free disaster preparedness training course taught by Los Angeles County Fire Department staff.
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In a Nutshell
     The Los Angeles County Fire Department is offering the following schedule of classes in disaster readiness and response:
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Don't feed the wildlife, officials urge
     The California Department of Fish and Game cautions everyone that feeding wildlife, whether directly or indirectly, is never a good idea. Problems from wildlife often increase with the availability of food, and feeding could result in an attack, damaged property, and often the death of th
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Forums set for Thousand Oaks City Council candidates
By Nancy Needham
     Voters so far have two opportunities to get to know the Thousand Oaks City Council candidates before the Nov. 7 election, and another forum is in the works.
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This victory is twice as nice
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com
     Many people saw double- even triple and quadruple-at the 31st annual Twins Day Festival in Twinsburg, Ohio.
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Westlake newcomers invited
     The Westlake Village Newcomers Club will host its first coffee of the fall season from 10 a.m. to noon on Tues., Sept. 12 at Westlake Yacht Club, 32123 Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village. The social group is open to residents in zip codes 91361, 91362 and 91377.
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Panel to discuss Constitution
     The Tseng College of Extended Learning at Cal State Northridge will host a panel discussion on the United States Constitution from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Sat., Sept. 16 at the Sierra Center on the campus, 1811 Nordhoff St.
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     The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura Beate Christina Waggoner of Camarillo will chair The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura's 15th annual Holiday Homes Tour, a selfguided tour that is the organization's largest fundraiser.
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Stuffing duffels
     BAGGING IT- Tara Larson, 17, of Westlake Village, spends her last day of summer vacation filling duffle bags with essentials for children who arrive at crisis and foster care centers with no belongings. Larson and about 45 other Westlake High cheerleaders were volunteering for the M
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Exhibit explores local mountains
     Los Angeles is the only major city in the world whose population is nearly evenly divided by a mountain range.
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Festival of Arts promises to be a day of fun
By Matt Kouba
     The Conejo Recreation and Park District in cooperation with the Conejo Chapter of the National Charity League will present the 12th annual Children's Festival of the Arts from noon to 3 p.m. Sat., Oct. 7.
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A giant on and off the court
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com
     Jim Nielsen has had a large impact on students through his job as director of secondary education for the Las Virgenes Unified School District. Nielsen was a giant, too, on the basketball court, making history at UCLA under legendary coach John Wooden.
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Conejo Democrats plan events
     The Media Group of the Democratic Club of the Conejo Valley is pleased to announce the broadcast of their premiere cable program, "Eye on the Issues."
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Masry Awards are coming
     The Agoura/Oak Park/ Conejo Valley Chamber will host the annual Edward L. Masry Awards for Integrity in Community Service on Oct. 20 at the Hyatt Westlake Plaza.
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Park service to host information meeting
     The National Park Service will host "The Great Backbone Trail Get Together Celebration" at 11 a.m. Sat., Sept. 9 at Peter Strauss Ranch, 30000 Mulholland Hwy., Agoura.
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Local youth shakes up music scene
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com
     Ryan "Greeny" Greenfield is a gifted musician. Although the Agoura Hills youth is just 15 years old, his musical brilliance has set him on a path of early achievement and acclaim.
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Westlake celebration planned
     The city of Westlake Village is turning 25 years old and residents are invited to help celebrate the city's anniversary at a "Birthday Party in the Park" at 3 p.m. Sun., Sept. 10 at Berniece Bennett Park, 31800 Village Center Road, in First Neighborhood. The first 1,000 people will receive a free c
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Rewards for helpful gardeners
     According to the National Gardening Association, 83 percent of U.S. households participated in lawn and garden activities last year. For some, gardening is more than just a hobby-it's a way to make a difference.
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Hot off the press
     J.R. Knudson and Margo Knudson each won a $1,000 first prize in the Red Chili category at last weekend's 25th annual Malibu Chili Cookoff, sponsored by the Malibu Kiwanis Club.
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Surf's up for Longboard Classic in Ventura
     The C Street Longboard Classic is slated for Sat. and Sun., Sept. 16 and 17 at Surfer's Point (C Street) in Ventura. The surfing contest has been held annually since its inception in 1986.
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Encore club to take boat ride
     Westlake Village Encore invites all women to the group's first meeting of the year on Fri., Sept. 8 at the Westlake Yacht Club.
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     The Agoura Hills Library is a branch of the Los Angeles County Pubic Library, located at 29901 Ladyface Court, Agoura Hills. For information on their programs call (818) 889-2278.
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Advertise your event
     The Acorn invites community members to submit brief blurbs for free inclusion in our weekly Datebook calendar.
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Calabasas Rotary invites guest speakers
     Following are upcoming special programs hosted by the Calabasas/ Agoura Hills Rotary Club during their weekly meetings at 12:10 p.m. Thursdays at the Native Café, 23536 Calabasas Road, Calabasas. The public is welcome to attend. Rotarians and guests pay $14 and casual visitors pay $17. Fo
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Staying cool with summer tunes
     MADE IN THE SHADE-Agoura Hills residents Gloria and Mike Engstrom relax under an umbrella before the start of the concert by Bella Donna, a Fleetwood Mac tribute band, at Conejo Creek Park in Thousand Oaks on Labor Day.
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Triunfo YMCA to host Indian Guides meeting
     The Triunfo YMCA, which serves Westlake Village, Agoura Hills and Oak Park, will host an Indian Guides information day and free barbecue from 4 to 7 p.m. Sun., Sept. 10 at Willow Elementary School, 29026 Laro Drive, Agoura Hills.
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Retired firefighter creates department history display
By Daniel Wolowicz camarillo@theacorn.com
     The varnished cherry wood and glass display cases stretch across the lobby's two facing walls. Their recessed lights illuminate the hundred or so artifacts on display that, thanks to one man, have been saved from certain demise.
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Handling the next job interview after being firing
     As if getting fired wasn't rough enough, what are you supposed to write in the box "Reason for leaving" when filling out an application for a new job? Ignoring the question seems suspicious, but penning a detailed essay about why your former boss is such a jerk isn't a very professional approach
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Pancake breakfast a flippin' good time
     SCHOOL SPIRIT- From left, cheerleaders Erin Walker and Sara Veliz are served by cook Michael Chan at last weekend's Oak Park High School pancake breakfast at the school's football stadium. Leo Henggeler prepares to pour the batter. The players took part in a pre-season scrimmage and the cheerleaders
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Roundtable to explore wage laws
     Local business owners will learn the importance of staying upto-date on wage and hour laws at the first in a series of free roundtable seminars offered by Ventura County's largest law firm, Nordman Cormany Hair & Compton LLP.
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Happy birthday, dear Wolfgang
     INTENSE CONCENTRATION- Sally Borman and Araksia Nazlikian give their full attention to their music as they perform with the Bright Light Chamber Players who were celebrating the 250th anniversary of Mozart's birthday in a concert at the Westlake Village library recently.
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Special events firm will give hospice a hand
     Westlake Village special events production company, 11H, will oversee production of the Hospice of the Conejo's "Las Vegas Cool" casino night on Sun., Sept. 10 at The Oaks mall in Thousand Oaks. More than 1,000 guests are expected to attend this annual fundraiser.
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Planned Parenthood to honor volunteer
     Planned Parenthood of Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties' annual Ventura County celebration will be at 11:30 a.m. Sun., Sept. 10 at the Westlake Village Inn.
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