The outside smoking ban that ignited flames of controversy in Calabasas in 2006 has now been expanded to include rental units in the city. The ordinance currently prohibits smoking in all public places, including businesses, hotels, parks, restaurants and multiunit housing common areas. More...

A child identified as a "gifted" learner is a source of pride for many parents, but gifted children- and adults- sometimes risk being misdiagnosed with a range of disorders and disabilities because of their high IQ. More...

THURS., JAN. 24 Ladies Night Out Oak Park High School PFC hosts Ladies Night Out, 7 p.m., OPHS Pavilion, 899 N. Kanan Road. $20 advance, $25 at door. Diana Horton Smith, (805) 704-3082; Lydia Saravis, (805) 241-8419. More...

Company Name AMGEN BAXTER BEVERLY HILLS BANCORP CAMINOSOFT CORP. CHEESECAKE FACTORY COUNTRYWIDE FINANCIAL CORP. DIODES, INC DTS, INC. ELECTRONIC CLEARING HOUSE ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY SENSOR INC. More...

All events (subject to change) are listed by name, location and time if provided. If calendars are modified, school sources are asked to contact us with updated information at: newstip@theacorn.com. Agoura Chargers Mon., Jan. More...

Julie Miller isn't the best player on the Westlake High girls' water polo team, but she may be the most beloved. When Miller scored her second goal of the season during last Friday's home match against Moorpark, her Warrior teammates went wild, and the patsontheback didn't stop until well after Westlake's (5-10, 3-5 in league) easy win. More...

This is a story about our pet rat named Kisses. People may think the term "pet rat" is an oxymoron. How can a creature with such an "ugly tail" that is considered a common vermin be a family pet? I am the first to admit that while I think of myself as a great animal lover, the initial idea of owning a pet rat was not something I was too excited about. More...

Burglars stole work tools valued at $800 from a storage shed in the 25200 block of Walker Road Jan 9. They also caused $300 in damages to get into the structure. More...

The Conejo Valley Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution has announced the winners of the annual education contests. An awards gala is scheduled for 7 p.m. Mon., Feb. 4 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Agoura Hills. Each winner will receive a monetary gift and certificate at the event. More...

Directed by: Paul Thomas Anderson Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Dillon Freasier, Paul Dano, Ciarán Hinds MPAA rating: R (for adult lan guage, bloodshed) Running time: 157 minutes Best suited for: drama, More...

I'd like to gripe about the laptop users who have taken over the local coffee hangouts. It is no longer possible to go into Peet's or Starbucks and find a table to sit at. Most of the tables are for the long-term use of those with laptops. I might add, that for one cup of coffee or latte, they stay for hours at a time. More...

The Oak Park Unified School District has been active on several fronts as it tries to keep pace with a dwindling budget and declining enrollment. Earlier this month the district released encouraging results from a survey that asked residents how they feel about renewing the D4 parcel tax, which expires early next year. More...