Blood donations needed after Thanksgiving week decline
     Blood donations on the Central Coast declined during the Thanksgiving week, raising concerns for the local blood supply, according to United Blood Services Central Coast. Each day, about 270 units of blood products are needed to maintain an adequate supply for those needing blood.
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New preschool opens in Oak Park
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com
     A new preschool is opening in Oak Park. The initial class, emphasizing fun and kindergarten readiness, is geared toward 4- and 5-year-olds. The class is open to anyone interested, not just Oak Park residents.
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Agoura to host General Plan update meeting
     A General Plan update community meeting will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Wed., Dec. 13 at the Agoura Hills City Council chambers in city hall, 30001 Ladyface Court.
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Westlake cuts one-way transit fee
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com
     One-way public transit riders in Westlake will enjoy an early holiday gift when the city's bus fare goes down by half on Dec. 1. The Westlake Village City Council approved the fare decrease earlier this month cutting the one-way fare from $2 to $1.
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City completes bus safety video
     To remind residents about the importance of bus safety, the city of Westlake Village shot a film called "Ride the Bus" this past weekend on city streets.
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Santa arrives early
     SURPRISE VISIT--Santa made an early appearance at the tree-lighting festivities at The Commons in Calabasas recently. Youngsters, from left, Roxana Solhjou, 5, of Calabasas; Danielle Haber, 8, of Tarzana; Soma Smith, 5, and her friend Morgan Freeman, 3, both of Calabasas, scramble for their chance to speak with Santa.
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Crossword puzzle moved and improved
     The crossword puzzle, a popular feature in all editions of the Acorn Newspapers, has been moved to the Family section starting today, Nov. 30.
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Calabasas council deadlocks on development
By Joann Groff joann@theacorn.com
     Calabasas City Council members split 2-2 on a decision to require an environmental review on a two-house development in the Calabasas Highlands.
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Free, safe disposal of hazardous waste
     Los Angeles County residents can dispose of household hazardous and electronic waste at the Countywide Household Hazardous Waste Roundup from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sat., Dec. 2 at the Civic Center rear parking lot, 23519 W. Civic Center Way, Malibu.
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Agoura reconsiders sports facilities at Morrison Park
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com
     Malibu Pacific Tennis Courts, Inc. was awarded a $773,000 contract to construct tennis and basketball courts and restrooms at Morrison Park in Agoura Hills, but the restrooms are the only addition favored by all of the park's neighbors.
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Local home sales remain sluggish
     October sales of Conejo Valley single-family homes totaled 116, compared to 114 sold in September and 146 a year ago, according to Glen Scalise, president of Conejo Valley Association of Realtors.
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New Westlake high-end hotel/spa focuses on health
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com
     The much-anticipated Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake Village opened its doors Wednesday, revealing a lavish d
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English teacher, art photographer write book on Martha Graham Dance Company
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com
     "Acts of Light," a new book commemorating the rebirth of the Martha Graham Dance Company in New York, was an act of love for author Nan Deane Cano, an English teacher at Agoura High School, and her brother, art photographer John Deane.
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Wanderer encourages people to 'get up and get out'
By Joann Groff joann@theacorn.com
     John Tartaglia has been living out of his truck for more than five years. He's travels on a whim, documents his journeys with painting and photography and meets people in remote towns and big cities.
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Seniors feast at Cantina
     DELIGHTFUL DINNER- Betty Daw of Woodland Hills enjoys a Thanksgiving meal at the Sagebrush Cantina in Calabasas, along with more than 400 other seniors at a luncheon sponsored by the Rotary Club of Calabasas on Thursday afternoon.
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Finding clues to the Chumash story
     NATIVE SONS- Students from Brookside Elementary School in Oak Park display acorns and rocks found at the Chumash Interpretive Center in Thousand Oaks during a recent school field trip. The students learned about art and artifacts of the Chumash people in preparation for their studies of the Native A
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Love Foundation to sponsor benefit luncheon, fashion show
     The Universal Love Foundation will host a luncheon and fashion show fundraiser at 10 a.m. Sat., Dec. 2 at the Westlake Village Four Seasons Hotel.
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Local girls find soccer success
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com
     Two local soccer teams earned medals in a tournament held in Bakersfield on Nov. 11 and 12 for top teams from the San Fernando Valley, Ventura and Kern counties, northern Los Angeles County and the High Desert. The girls under16 and under19 divisions from AYSO Region 4 both won second
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Triunfo YMCA to sell Christmas trees
     The Triunfo YMCA will sell Christmas trees from Dec. 1 through 23 at the lot on the southeast corner of Kanan and Agoura roads in Agoura Hills. Hours are 3 to 9 p.m. weekdays, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekends.
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Veterans talk to Scouts about war
     FRONT LINES- About 50 enthusiastic Cub and Boy Scouts heard veterans describe their service in the armed forces at Shomrei Torah Synagogue in West Hills recently. Veterans from six conflicts shared their war stories with the rapt audience. Boy Scout Troop 246 of West Hills hosted the
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     The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura is seeking volunteers for its 15th anniversary Holiday Homes Tour, a self-guided tour that is the organization's largest fundraiser. Chris Knorr, volunteer committee chairperson, needs residents to serve as docents and traffic assistants.
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Senior needs survey deadline extended
     The deadline to complete the L.A. County "Seniors Count" Needs Assessment has been extended to Jan. 31.
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Women distribute gift baskets to seniors, children
By Joann Groff joann@theacorn.com
     Wicker baskets? Extra ribbons? One too many cans of corn? Brenda Hagen wants it all. Throughout the year, Hagen and a group of friends all over the Conejo Valley are on the lookout for supplies to decorate baskets and food and toys to fill them.
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Local women send goodies to the troops
     For the Troops sent off 66 care packages recently to overseas troops-25 to the 10th Mountain Division stationed in Afghanistan, 25 to the 10th Mountain Division stationed in Iraq and the remaining 16 to various soldiers in both countries.
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Car show drives up to Westlake Village
     Motor 4 Toys Exotic Car Show and Toy Drive will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sun., Dec. 3 in the Countrywide Home Loans parking lot, 31303 Agoura Road in Westlake Village, between Lake Lindero and Reyes Adobe roads. Admission is a new, unwrapped toy to benefit CHiPs for Kids.
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CLU to display AIDS Memorial Quilt
     The AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on display at California Lutheran University's main campus beginning Fri., Dec. 1. Sections of the quilt will be shown in CLU's Kwan Fong Gallery of Art and Culture, Samuelson Chapel and Overton Hall through Fri., Dec. 15.
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Local nature walks planned
     Mountains Restoration Trust and the Cold Creek Docents offer several walks in December. For more information and reservations, call (818) 591-1701.
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New holiday gift ideas for seniors
By Lori Solomon Special to the Acorn
     If you have older relatives and friends and you just don't know what to give them, you're not alone. Many seniors have made or are in the midst of life changes. Perhaps they have downsized to smaller living quarters or moved to a retirement, assisted living or skilled nursing facility. As a
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Local artist teaches 'teacup power'
     Lissi Kaplan, a porcelain artist from Calabasas, spoke about "The Power of a Teacup" to a meeting of Town and Gown of USC in early November. Kaplan returned to her alma mater to share her insights and her illustrated book, "The Power of a Teacup," which members were able
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Kwanzaa celebration coming to CLU
     A Kwanzaa celebration will be held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sat., Dec. 2 in the PreusBrandt Forum at California Lutheran University. Admission is free and the public is invited.
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Children bake pies for Manna
     SPICE IT UP- White Oak Elementary School first-grade teacher Kelly Lampert gives student Max Wells, 6, a sniff of nutmeg as Jerica Riggs, 6, watches when the class baked pumpkin pies for the Manna food drive at the school last week.
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Women's Council bestows awards
     The Women's Council of the Building Industry Association of Southern California held their annual holiday and awards luncheon on Wed., Nov. 29 at the Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks. This year, the Women's Council offered a holiday gift bazaar.
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GOP women get ready for holiday gala
     Thousand Oaks Republican Women Federated will present "Christmas Festivities at Mount Vernon" Thurs., Dec. 7 with a reception and boutiques at 11 a.m. and luncheon at 12:15 p.m. The
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Children can read to therapy dogs
     The Paws 4 Healing dogs will return for the last time this year on Sat., Dec. 2 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Westlake Village Library, 31220 Oak Crest Drive.
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Having fun for helping to raise funds
     NOVEMBERFEST- Medea Creek Middle School students celebrate at the school's annual carnival held to thank students for supporting the school's big fall fundraiser, the magazine drive. Front row, from left, Brianna Kaplan, Rachel Bleau, Drew Gregory, Hannah Rinkov, Sarah Buchnovitz and Leah Gunn. Back
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Jewish Genealogical Society will meet
     Jewish Genealogical Society of the Conejo Valley and Ventura County and surrounding areas will host a general meeting from 2 to 4 p.m. Sun., Dec. 10 at Temple Adat Elohim, 2420 E. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks.
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Make a date with The Acorn
     The Acorn invites community members to submit brief blurbs for free inclusion in our weekly Datebook calendar.
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Holiday lights bring season's sparkle
     WATER COLORS- Holiday lights are reflected in the still waters of the lake in Westlake Village. People took advantage of the long weekend to hang their lights, officially marking the beginning of the holiday season.
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MOPS boutique slated
     The Friday Mothers of Preschoolers will sponsor a holiday boutique from 8 a.m. to noon Fri., Dec. 1 at Calvary Community Church, 5495 Via Rocas, Westlake Village.
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Temple hosts art auction
     The inaugural "Martinis, Magic and Monet" art auction will be Sat., Dec. 2 at Temple Beth Haverim, 29900 Ladyface Court, Agoura Hills. The art preview will be 7 p.m. and the auction will start at 8 p.m.
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Bring a toy, meet Santa
     Back to Health is hosting Santa Claus at 4 p.m. Mon., Dec. 4 at 1655 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks.
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Snow storm coming to Calabasas
     The hills of Gates Canyon Park will be ready for sledding from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sun., Dec. 3. Children ages 2 to 12 can play in 40 tons of snow, according to the city of Calabasas Community Services Department.
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