One tough mudder goes the extra mile
By Eamon Murphy
eamon@theacorn.com | May 26, 2023
Six years ago, Scott Rodner of Agoura Hills was, by his own account, “a guy who might have thought he was fit but really wasn’t.” Then 60 years old, Rodner...
Former Acorn editor had ‘heart of gold’
By Victoria Talbot
csalgado@theacorn.com | May 26, 2023
Steve Holt, former Acorn editor, devoted dad and husband, Dodger fan and a dedicated Kiwanian, died May 4. He would have celebrated his 76th birthday on May 28, according to...
BRIEFS
May 26, 2023
Register in program for summer reading The Oak Park Library’s summer reading program, Find Your Voice, will run through Aug. 4 at 899 N. Kanan Road. Young patrons up to...
Get Dad in the picture
May 26, 2023
Father’s Day is Sun., June 17, and the Acorn wants to showcase him! Birthdays, graduation day, weddings and other special moments— the bond between a father and child lasts forever....
Books are all in the family as author shares latest work for children
May 12, 2023
Liora Paniz’s children book “Miss Lynnie the Librarian” had its worldwide release on April 16, National Librarian Day. The book is also available in Spanish as “Miss Lynnie La Bibliotecaria.” Paniz is the daughter of Lynn Paniz, a retired Medea Creek Middle School librarian. With...
Teen takes her disabilities cause to Capital Hill
May 12, 2023
Isabella Hass, 15, went to the nation’s capital April 19 to advocate for the rights of people like her with Down Syndrome. The Westlake Village resident visited the office of Sen. Alex Padilla and talked with Priya Amilineni, the health legislative correspondent in Padilla’s office....
Happy Mother’s Day
May 12, 2023
Dear Bay Laurel Elementary Moms (and yes, that includes our amazing staff members who are mothers): THANK YOU so much for all that you do for our school and your children. You are superhumans, and you are so appreciated. I hope you all have a...
Finding alternative activities and reducing screen time for kids
Bonnie Vandenberg | April 21, 2023
Question: Over the past few years, we’ve gotten into the habit of using screen time much more than I’d like. How do I encourage my kids to do other things besides always using a phone or screen? Helping kids to do something besides spend time...
Fentanyl deaths still on the rise
By Michele Willer-Allred
michele@theacorn.com | March 17, 2023
While the overall number of fatal overdoses decreased slightly in Ventura County in 2022 compared to the year before, fentanyl-related deaths continue to peak, according to a special report on drug use released last week by the Ventura County medical examiner’s office. Sometimes first-time users...
County COVID order ending
By Victoria Talbot
vtalbot@theacorn.com | February 17, 2023
Three years after public health officials first uttered the words “COVID-19,” Ventura County authorities are preparing to lift the emergency declaration that gave government the power to shutter businesses, order vaccines and face coverings, and enforce social distancing measures. The Board of Supervisors announced it...
Judaism and the life-saving potential of organ donation
By Brian Goldenfeld
Special to The Acorn | February 10, 2023
Organ donation, the process of transplanting healthy human organs into sick patients, can be a life-saving procedure, which is why many Jewish authorities from across the denominational spectrum believe it to be a religious duty. Jewish tradition considers saving human life—pikuach nefesh in Hebrew—to be...
Collide in Clovis
By Eliav Appelbaum
eliav@theacorn.com | May 26, 2023
Going to state. Those are the three sweetest words high school track and field athletes want to hear this time of spring. An armada of...
Warriors win epic 19-inning baseball game
By Eliav Appelbaum
eliav@theacorn.com | May 19, 2023
Ernie Banks, the greatest Chicago Cubs ballplayer, famously said, “Let’s play two.” Westlake High’s baseball team paid attention to Mr. Cub’s history lesson by figuring...
Bird beatitude
By Eliav Appelbaum
eliav@theacorn.com | May 12, 2023
The Eagles landed, but for most of the year, they soared. Oak Park High’s boys’ tennis team captured back-to-back Coastal Canyon League championships, notched an...
Scroll down to see social media discussion
By Eamon Murphy
eamon@theacorn.com | May 26, 2023
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, though it hardly takes a specially designated portion of the calendar to know that people are struggling these days....
Sloan named new principal at Oak Hills
May 19, 2023
Heather Sloan was appointed new principal of Oak Hills Elementary School in Oak Park for the upcoming school year, effective July 1. At a recent...
Pathway leads to guaranteed admission
May 19, 2023
Students who are planning to enroll in an area community college in the fall but who would eventually like to earn a four-year degree at...
COLLEGE STANDOUTS
May 19, 2023
• Jake Wimmer of Agoura Hills was named to USC’s dean’s list for the fall 2022 semester. • Local students named to the fall 2022...
Jay Leno helps Oaks Christian enjoy record fundraiser in Beverly Hills
May 12, 2023
Oaks Christian School’s annual gala on April 1 was a resounding success. The event hosted by Jay Leno at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly...
Show girl
By Zia Zografos
zia@theacorn.com | May 26, 2023
Elvira, an Italian greyhound from Camarillo, was a long way from home as her paws touched down in New York City for the 147th Westminster Dog Show. But she strutted her stuff and was awarded Best in Breed for Italian greyhounds at the show. She...
Documentary the pride of film fest
May 26, 2023
The main screening of the 2023 Oaks Christian School Film Festival, “A LoVE Story,” is a tale that focuses on three young men who travel to South Africa to continue their grandmother’s legacy working with children affected by AIDS. The documentary headlined this year’s festival,...
Classic cars get in high gear for June show
May 19, 2023
Calvary Community Church will host its inaugural Cars We Love to Drive show from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sat., June 17 at 5495 Via Rocas, Westlake Village. There are no fees to attend or register a car for the show. More than 130 cars...
Theater to hold auditions for whodunit
May 19, 2023
Conejo Players Theatre is seeking actors for a number of roles in its upcoming production of Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap.” Auditions will take place at 7 p.m. Sun. through Tues., May 28 to 30 at the company’s theater, 351 S. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks. Auditions...
A time to treasure the gift of the Torah
By Brian Goldenfeld
Special to The Acorn | May 26, 2023
Shavuot—the third festival in the Jewish calendar that began Thursday evening May 25 and runs through Shabbat, Sat., May 27—is the holiday on which Jews celebrate the giving of the...
Group says mission accomplished
By Cytlalli Salgado
csalgado@theacorn.com | April 21, 2023
In an effort to tackle food insecurity, a local church donated more than 1,400 cases of food to nine nonprofits to redistribute to Conejo Valley residents through their food banks....
Discarded food and cigarette butts, though biodegradable, are still litter
By David Goldstein
Special to The Acorn | May 19, 2023
In the Costco parking lot last month, I saw someone get out of his car,...
Helping children to deal with their fears
Bonnie Vandenberg | December 2, 2022
Question: I have three kids—3, 8 and 11—and I want to know how to help them handle being afraid. I notice an increase in angst in all my kids, caused by the things they read, hear about, watch or imagine. My friends tell me their...
Social Security cost-of-living increase a good time to discuss senior finances
Andrea Gallagher | December 2, 2022
Due to this year’s meteoric rise in the consumer price index, a measure of inflation in the cost of goods and services, Social Security beneficiaries will receive an 8.7% cost-of-living adjustment for 2023. Only three times in the past 46 years has the Social Security...
Organ donation: questions and answers
Andrea Gallagher | November 25, 2022
The organ and tissue donation process is unfamiliar to a lot of us. Some people may not even know they’re registered donors. Understanding the law and how it’s applied is important. The first time many of us heard of choices about organ donation was at...
Heads up to prevent injury from falls
Andrea Gallagher | October 21, 2022
Morning walks in my neighborhood are one of the most enjoyable parts of my day. I love the coolness of daybreak and the special sightings of the stag and two does that frequent our open space. I also enjoy my walk because each day at...
Signs that point to the best time for retirement
Andrea Gallagher | October 6, 2022
I’ve been thinking a lot about retirement lately. One of our amazing staff members, who has been with Senior Concerns for the last 13 years, retired last month. It just doesn’t seem real. I always thought of Dana as young. Certainly not the person to...
Sheriff to hold ‘active assailant’ training at Oak Park High
May 26, 2023
As part of ongoing preparations in case of an active assailant or other emergency in the community or at school,...
SHERIFF’S BLOTTER
May 26, 2023
Agoura Hills A Toyota Prius parked on Stonecrest Drive on May 4 had its catalytic converter stolen overnight. The cost...
