Despite the slumping real estate market, Assessor Rick Auerbach says the 2008 Los Angeles County tax roll showed a 6.9 percent increase over the previous year. The $1.1trillion tax roll benefitted from the "stabilizing" effects of Proposition 13, Auerbach said. More...

Studying for a doctorate is challenging enough, but Barbara Semel Parkhurst of Oak Park earned her degree at the same time she was undergoing multiple surgeries for a near fatal brain aneurysm. Parkhust, 55, recently graduated from California Lutheran University with her health intact. More...

THURS., JULY 17 A 'Merry' Play Moorpark College Theatre Arts Department presents the musical "Merrily We Roll Along," Studio Theatre (first floor), Performing Arts Center, 7075 Campus Road in Moorpark. 8 p.m. July 17 to 19, 24 to 26, 31. 2 p.m. July 20, 27 and Aug. 1, 2 and 3. Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by George Furth. More...

A slumping national economy has finally caught up with Ventura County's commercial real estate market. According to a midyear report released earlier this month by Camarillo-based CB Richard Ellis, vacancy rates for retail, office and industrial space throughout the county are up in the second quarter of 2008 as compared to the same time last year. More...

PROMOTED- California Assembly Speaker Karen Bass has named 41st District legislator Julia Brownley chair of the Assembly's Education Committee. More...

Prior to winning to winning the North Region Distict Championship on July 4, the Agoura Mustang A (under 10) Pony Baseball team also won the Las Virgenes Tournament on June 29. It was the first Agoura Mustang A team ever to win the Las Virgenes competition. More...

SMOOTH MOVER- Guido, 10, a male golden retriever mix, was surrendered by his owner. Guido can be adopted from the Agoura Animal Shelter at 29525 Agoura Road. To take Guido home, ask for ID No.A3847762. More...

Agoura Hills A burglar stole a pair of prescription eyeglasses, a computer memory stick and various CDs with a total value of $1,300 from a vehicle parked in the 28900 block of Oak Creek Lane on July 5. The culprit also caused $1,500 in damages while attempting to break in. More...

In its latest version, "The Incredible Hulk" has once again become an instant smash (no pun intended) and has caused quite a stir among movie audiences. According to the story line, when mild-mannered scientist Dr. More...

Recently at the Thousand Oaks farmers market I talked to vendor Frank Wells, who was manning the Westfield Farms stand. Westfield Farms has been in operation since 1992, and Wells has been running the farm since 1996. More...

The Malibu Art Association will present just one of the many exhibits at the Malibu Arts Festival set to return later this month. Proceeds from sales at the association's booth will help fund college scholarships for local artists. More...

I am sure many people in Oak Park appreciate your information under Acorn Bits regarding another school bond issue for the November ballot. Many of us knew we paid "dearly" for the Oak Park schools, but did not know to what extent. You broke it down very nicely for us. More...

Recently I was exploring the dry creek bed of an underpass in the high desert. I was searching for animal tracks but found animals themselves. Instantly I was engaged by their energetic swirling flight and their alarm calls indicating my presence, a series of short one-note "veews." Slowly approaching, I looked up and realized I had entered a colony of swallows. More...

This past decade has been a golden age of construction for civic centers in our area. Calabasas, Agoura Hills and Westlake Village- three cities that were once slated to become a single, Las Virgenes entity- have defined their individual character and strength of purpose with the public buildings they've chosen to construct. More...