Westlake groups mark 2008

In Westlake Village, two venerable institutions marked their 40th anniversaries in 2008.

The Westlake Women's Club, a philanthropic nonprofit group formed by some of the city's earliest residents, has raised thousands of dollars for local, regional and national charities.

Westminster Presbyterian Church, which began with a small group of charter members and today numbers about 1,200, supports a variety of local and international causes, including the housing and feeding of homeless people in the Conejo Valley and the offering of healthcare for the uninsured.

Under Philippa Klessig's tenure as mayor in 2008, the city turned an eye toward the environment by installing a new automatic irrigation system in some public areas and by using a recycled-tire and asphalt mix to repave city streets. The city also began a curbside pickup service for electronic waste.

The long-discussed joint Triunfo YMCA/city park project made significant progress during 2008. City Council members approved construction for a 30acre recreational facility to begin after the new year.

The city also took steps toward the redevelopment of the business park north of the 101 Freeway. As part of that plan, Oaks Christian School took over and renovated an existing commercial building to house its new middle school.