As homeowners and homebuyers in Southern California, including those in the local markets, continue to cope with struggling residential sales, Acorn managing editor John Loesing continues his multipart questionand-answer series with local real estate leaders about the future of the market and possible signs that the worst might be behind us. More...

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers FINISH LINE—Winners of the Men's 5K race: left, winner of ages 55 to 59, Keith Noren of Simi Valley; winner of ages 60 to 64, Russell Stockard of Oak Park, center; and winner of ages 45 to 49, Terry Hudson of Moorpark, catch their breath following the Love Run for Senior Concerns on June 7 in Westlake Village. More...

THURS., JUNE 11 IWOSC Satellite Writers Group Independent Writers of Southern California inaugural meeting at Sherwood Country Club, Golf Club House, 320 W. Stafford Road, Thousand Oaks. Open to all writers. Bring writing, ideas, problems, questions. Free parking, receive directions at guard house. More...

The chairs and vice chairs of the committees of the Conejo Valley Association of Realtors were commended by Connie Reed, the association's president, for their outstanding work at a recent recognition luncheon at the Mandevilla restaurant in Westlake Village. More...

The college counselors at Viewpoint School have helped this year's class of more than 100 graduates gain acceptance into some of the nation's top universities. Rhody Davis, director of college counseling, and counselors Stephanie Shapiro and Amanda Fitts worked as university admissions officers before joining the Calabasas private school. More...

Next month, Grace Brethren senior wide receiver Travis Sproat is scheduled to enter boot camp at Camp Pendleton as a member of the United States Marine Corps. The diminutive playmaker, listed at 5-foot-8 and 175 pounds, has already requested a rapid deploy and expects to be stationed overseas later this year. More...

CUDDLY—Monty, an 8- year-old male Shiloh Shepherd, was surrendered by his owner. Monty can be adopted from the Agoura Animal Shelter at 29525 Agoura Road. To take Monty home, ask for ID No. A3983443. Occasionally pets have already been adopted, so please call (818) 991-0071 first or visit http:// animalcare.lacounty.gov/. JANN HENDRY Acorn Newspapers More...

A 52-year-old woman was arrested at 11:50 p.m. on May 28 in the 5700 block of Camelia Lane for committing battery. She was also charged with resisting arrest. More than $400 in property was vandalized on May 28 or 29 in the 1200 block of North Gentilly Place. More...

A new religious school director has been hired by Temple Beth Haverim in Agoura Hills. Lev Metz will oversee the synagogue's kindergarten through 10th-grade Hebrew school program. The community will have an opportunity to meet him at the temple's open house at 7 p.m. on Wed., June 17. More...

SHETLANDS SCORE—The Agoura Shetland Yankees team of 5 and 6-year-olds played tough all season long and won the 2009 championship on May 30. More...

FORBIDDEN LOVE—The classic tale of a doomed love affair, "Aida," will be the first production of the Conejo Youth Theatre at Conejo Players in Thousand Oaks. Elton John wrote the music and Tim Rice penned the lyrics in this engaging tale of love and redemption. From left, Tyler Burk (Mereb), Chris Calhoun (Radames), Jenna Gillespie (Aida), and Jillian Lawson (Amneris). "Aida" runs at the Conejo Players Theatre in Thousand Oaks from June 26 through July 18 with performances Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. For ticket information, call the box office at (805) 495-3715 or visit www.conejoplayers.org. More...

The Agoura Hills planning commissioners just approved a nightclub in the old Milano restaurant near Reyes Adobe Road. It appears that these commissioners didn't realize that by allowing dance instruction here, it could mean scantily clad dancers giving demonstrations. More...

September 1963. Sixth grade. Miss McClintock's class at Huntington Junior High. I had braces and bad hair and eyebrows that looked like Leonid Brezhnev's. The first assignment? Write an essay about what you did for summer vacation. More...

More than three weeks after the May 19 election, it's still hard to tell the good guys from bad guys in the messy state budget battle. Voters say they sent a strong message not to raise taxes, but did they really? And is the Legislature doing the right thing by taking their fiscal frustration out on local governments? More...