Veteran recalls ties to Old Glory
Flag Day is June 14
By Nancy Needham nancy@theacorn.com
      "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." These words inspire veteran Don Meyer, 80, whether he hears them recited or- facing a flag with his hand over his heart- speaks them himself.
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Cellphone laws change July 1
      Hands off those cellphones. Two new California laws governing the use of cellular phones in motor vehicles go into effect July 1. Senate Bill 1613 requires adults to employ a handsfree device when using a cellphone in a car. Senate Bill 33 prohibits teens under 18 from using any wireless device, even with a hands-free add-on.
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Volunteers on Patrol make community a safer place to live
More than just neighborhood watch
By Joann Groff joann@theacorn.com
      Bernie la Fianza has lived in Agoura Hills for 28 years. At 69, the retired naval officer remains active in the community by offering his services as a crime prevention volunteer. "Agoura Hills was quite a different city when we moved in," la Fianza said. "It's still a nice place to live, but things have changed.
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Use our Datebook
      The Acorn invites community members to submit brief blurbs for free inclusion in our weekly Datebook calendar. Datebook is devoted to announcements of local events that are offered free of charge to the public or require a minimal fee; exceptions are made.
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Local artist documents her father's 50-year career in advertising
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com
      Suzanne Mandel Canter of Agoura Hills always knew that her father, Saul Mandel, was a talented artist, animator and graphic designer in the advertising field. Seeing the scope of his career in pictures, she's been inspired to tell his story.
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Megan Cup to benefit diabetes research
      The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation-Los Angeles Chapter will hold its inaugural Megan Cup Celebrity Golf Classic at 11 a.m. Mon., June 16 at Calabasas Country Club, 4515 Park Entrada, Calabasas.
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Troop 722 names four Eagle Scouts
      David K. Faltemier, Jason E. Flahie and Todd M. Rackohn of Westlake Village and Kenichi Sugai of Oak Park received their Eagle Scout awards in a ceremony on June 6 at St. Patrick's Episcopal Church in Thousand Oaks. The awards were presented by Scoutmaster Al Reinhardt.
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Beach music to cool a summer day
     SURF CITY, HERE WE COME- Agoura Hills' summer Concerts in the Park series presents Surfin' Safari at 6 p.m. Sun., June 15. The group will perform the music of The Beach Boys and Jan and Dean. Parking and admission is free. Food will be for sale starting at 5 p.m. For more information, call (818) 597-7361.
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Local families invited to apply for spot on new game show
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com
      Former Agoura resident Allison Kaz, now a Hollywood casting agent, is back in her hometown seeking families for a new fall ABC television game show. "We are reinventing game night and bringing the family back together in traditional fun," said Kaz, a casting producer for 3Ball Productions in Manhattan Beach.
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Learning from the masters
     PROUD ARTIST- Medea Creek Middle School student Heidi Vandenburg is one of several student artists from the Oak Park school who put their work on display recently at the Frame Gallery art store in Agoura Hills. The artists worked hard over the past several weeks trying their hand at painting some of the world's masterpieces. The Medea Creek art teacher Malia Kim organized the show.
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Kidsafe offers fingerprinting
      The regional stop of the Operation Kidsafe National Safety Tour will take place from 1 to 7 p.m. tomorrow, Fri., June 13 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sat., June 14 at Neftin Westlake Volks wagen/Mazda, 3500 Auto Mall Drive, Thousand Oaks.
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Students take a step back in time
Fourth-graders experience 19th-century life
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com
      Two fourth-grade classes from Brookside Elementary School in Oak Park stepped back in time on June 4 when they paid a visit to the Stagecoach Inn Museum in Newbury Park, a Montereystyle home that includes 19th century period furniture and personal items passed down from the Conejo Valley's founding families.
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Pioneer Jamboree will roll in to Newbury Park on June 14
      Families throughout the Conejo Valley are invited to step back in time at the Stagecoach Inn Museum during its Pioneer Jamboree on Sat., June 14 from 10 to 4 p.m. The annual event is presented by the Conejo Valley Historical Society and offers a variety of fun activities for all ages.
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Agoura Hills offers summer classes in drama, dance, dog training
      The Agoura Hills Department of Community Services has announced its upcoming events. Unless otherwise noted, all programs will take place at the Agoura Hills Recreation Center, 30610 Thousand Oaks Blvd. For more information on any event, call (818) 597-7361.
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Arby's hosts fundraiser
      Arby's restaurant is holding a community fundraiser to raise money and awareness for youth mentoring. Through Mon., June 30, customers who visit Arby's restaurants in Thousand Oaks and Ventura may donate $1 and sign a "Help Us Help Kids" pinup to hang on the wall of the restaurant. Money raised will support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County.
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