Poll to study why school bond lost
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com
      Oak Park school officials are considering conducting a poll to determine why voters did not support the H6 school bond measure in November. The bond, which would have helped pay for repairs and renovations to school buildings, failed to generate the two-thirds vote needed to pass.
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Deputies practice Columbine-like scenario
      As students, teachers, administrators and other personnel were taking their winter break, the Agoura High School campus was transformed into a stage for an "active shooter" training exercise by the Lost Hills Sheriff's Station. According to Lost Hills Sgt. Jim Royal, the school is used each year to train officers how to react if an armed student or intruder enters the school.
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Take proper measures before the rains come
      Malibu has seen the fire- now get ready for the rain. Although significant rainfall has yet to occur this season, public safety officials say it's still time for residents to prepare their homes for potential flood hazards- whether or not they live in a fire-damaged area.
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Most trends support the hybrid vehicle, but don't jump to conclusions yet
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com
      Following decades of stops, starts and misfires, those technologically advanced vehicles that lower carbon dioxide emissions and reduce the nation's dependency on foreign oil are starting to gain ground.
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Affordable housing meeting held
      A presentation and discussion about affordable housing in Ventura County will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. Mon., Feb. 5 in the Meeting Room at Esseff Village, 1423 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., across from Gold Coast Plaza.
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Canyon club owner welcomes sale of Whizin's Shopping Center
'It was time,' Lance Sterling says
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com
      Lance Sterling, owner of The Canyon club in Agoura Hills, bowed out of the battle to buy the Whizin's Shopping Center, deferring to the real estate expertise- and deeper pockets- of the Tucker Investment Group.
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Pageant emphasizes volunteerism among young women
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com
      CHEERFUL GIVERS- The young ladies who compete in the Miss and Miss Teen California International pageants actively volunteer in the community and speak on behalf of a nonprofit group of their choice. Shown here, some of the local contestants attend state orientation in Bakersfield last year. Back row, from left, Hilary Gushwa, Jessica Hartman, Loretta Toso and Sami Riddle.
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      The Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center offers several new classes. Most classes begin the third weekend of January. For dates and more information on any class or to register, call (818)880-2993 or e-mail brandon@ahccc.org or visit the website www.ahccc.org.
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Club to discuss home safety
      The Westlake Village Newcomers Club will host Senior Dept. Larry Logan of the Ventura County Sheriff's Department at the monthly "coffee" from 10 a.m. to noon Tues., Jan. 16 at the home of the club president.
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Avoid common mistakes when winterizing boats
      Boaters across the country may hate having to prepare their boats for hibernation, but a properly winterized boat can extend its life while saving its owner time, money and hassles come spring.
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Ball honors young volunteers
Group assists Childrens Hospital
      Thirty families and their daughters were honored at the annual Las Madrinas Ball on Dec. 21 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Nearly 800 guests from the greater Los Angeles area and beyond, including 32 debutantes, their parents and grandparents, gathered to recognize the families and their commitments to the community and to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.
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Saturday in the park
      THAT'S FUN- Adithi Raghavan, 2, and mother, Shobana, of Calabasas, try out playground equipment that sways back and forth like a boat at a recent buddy play date at Brandon's Village, a universally-accessible playground at Gates Canyon Park in Calabasas. The event also included arts and crafts, music, dance and refreshments.
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Tree seedlings available
      The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's new crop of conifer tree seedlings is available for mail order purchase. The seedlings are available in a variety of sizes, ranging from one-year-old plug stock to four-year-old bare root seedlings.
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Sweeten a neighbor's day
      From the woman across the street who collects your mail when you're out of town to the man next door who brings in your trash cans, a neighborhood is filled with sweet people- and it's always a sweet idea to let them know how much you appreciate them.
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Bike rodeo teaches safe cycling
      RIDING RIGHT- Jenna Prieger, 7, of Agoura, receives instruction on bicycle safety from Jimmy Banuelos at the Agoura Hills Bike Rodeo at Willow Elementary School on Saturday.
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Chamber marketing director ends 13-year term
      Arlene Bernholtz, marketing director of the Calabasas Chamber of Commerce, has retired after 13 years of service. Bernholtz directed Chamber membership development for over a decade and helped build the organization into one of the most successful business alliances in the region.
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Look up family tree at meeting
      The Ventura County Genealogical Society Inc. will host its regular monthly meeting at 1 p.m. Sat., Jan. 20 at the Ventura LDS Family History Center, 3501 Loma Vista Road, Ventura. Meetings are free and guests are welcome. Connie Moretti will speak about "Learning to love the pre1850 census." A Torrance native, Moretti has been interested in genealogy all her life.
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Masquerade fundraiser to help youngsters
Annual event slated for March 3
      Assistance League of Conejo Valley will host its annual masquerade fundraiser on Sat., March 3 at the new Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake Village. "We invite the community to join us for a wonderful evening of fine dining, dancing to the music of Wade Morris, and participating in truly exciting live and silent auctions," said League president Shirley Eichhorn.
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Natural History Museum offers free programs
      The following programs will be presented by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and are free with paid museum admission. For more information on any of these classes, call (213) 7633230. Critter Club: Loopy Locomotion will be presented from 10 to 11 a.m. Sat., Jan. 13. Participants will play games, work on crafts and look at the different ways animals move.
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Psychiatrist to speak on post-traumatic stress
      Dr. Judith Broder will be the featured speaker for the Global Exchange Ventura County Supporters from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wed., Jan. 24 at the Grant Brimhall/Thousand Oaks Library, 1401 E. Janss Road in Thousand Oaks. This is a free public program.
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Remembering Martin Luther King
      The dream Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had for a better future continues to inspire new generations of Americans. That is why Congress voted in 1994 to transform the Jan. 15 national holiday in King's honor into a day of community service. "During his lifetime, Dr.
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Local mountains offer fun
      "Spiders- Urban, Suburban and Wild," a free lecture, will be presented at 2 p.m. Sat., Jan. 20 at the National Park Service Visitor Center, 401 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks. Janet Kempf of the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum will discuss the biology and natural history of local spiders and give an update on the first L.A. spider survey.
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Interface names new director
      Interface Children Family Services recently announced the appointment of Erik Sternad as executive director. He is scheduled to start work with Interface on Feb. 5.
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Boy raises funds for pancreatic cancer research
      Tyler Gastwirth, 12, of Oak Park, organized a community benefit to raise funds for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Tyler is conducting the project as part of his bar mitzvah in May.His grandfather passed away last year from pancreatic cancer.
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Stroller Strides classes available
      Stroller Strides, the nation's largest fitness program for new mothers, will offer new classes in Westlake Village and Agoura Hills. Stroller Strides is a fitness program for new mothers that they can do with their babies. The one-hour classes, taught by nationally-certified instructors, include power walking and intervals of body toning using exercise tubing and the stroller.
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      + The Calabasas Library will present Wendee's Musical Adventures at 11 a.m. on Fri., Jan. 26. Wendee returns with her interactive songs and fun for all ages in this popular event. The program is free and no tickets are needed. No strollers will be permitted.
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Team in Training meeting slated
      Team in Training, a program of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, will have an information meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wed., Jan. 17 at the Calabasas Library, 23975 Park Sorrento. An endurance training program, the team provides personalized coaching, group training and support to those interested in participating in marathons, halfmarathons, triathlons and 100mile bike rides.
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Preventing identity theft
Tips on safeguarding against this growing crime
By Dave Claus Special to The Acorn
      Q: I keep reading about identity theft as a risk to my finances. How can I protect myself? A: Sophisticated thieves have turned identity theft- someone uses personal information, such as your Social Security number, name or credit card information, without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes- - into a multibilliondollar criminal enterprise.
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Economic development meeting planned
      John F. Johnston, county executive officer for Ventura County, will address Ventura County's successes and challenges with regard to budget, finance, labor relations and key issues facing county government and the community at a meeting from 3 to 7 p.m. Thurs., Jan. 18 at Spanish Hills Country Club, 999 Crestview Ave., Camarillo.
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Teachers invited to Holocaust Education Workshop
      The 24th annual teacher training workshop "The Relevance of Teaching the Holocaust in the 21st Century" will be offered for educators and other interested parties on four consecutive Thursdays from 4:15 to 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 1, 8, 15 and 22 with an optional fifth session on March 1.
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Chamber names board of directors
      The Thousand Oaks-Westlake Village Regional Chamber of Commerce announced a new board of directors for 2007. Ken Doyle, director of marketing for Warner Pacific Insurance, is the new chairman of the board.
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Human resource pros to meet
      The Ventura County affiliate of the National Human Resources Association will host guest speaker Ron Elsdon, PhD, at the organization's monthly membership meeting on Wed., Jan. 24 at the Los Robles Golf Course Events Center, 299 S. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks.
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Passion for giving
      AMERICAN BEAUTY- Calabasas High School student Lindsay Shaffer holds a bouquet of hand-beaded roses she makes and sells to raise money for the Agoura Animal Shelter. Lindsay's efforts so far have netted $1,100.
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