Las Vegas. Sutherland Springs. Parkland. Orlando. Thousand Oaks has taken its place among these and dozens of cities whose names will forever be associated with gun violence. But its shown itself to be a community that takes care of its own when they’re hurting most. Since 12 innocent people were slain Nov. 7 at Borderline Bar and Grill, over $771,000 […]
2018-11-15
My old home was lost
COMMENTARYIt is Saturday morning, Nov. 10, and a multicolored smoke plume builds like a thunderhead above Boney Mountain in Newbury Park. It soars vertically, reflecting prismatic colors, a sight at once commanding our awe and renewing our trepidation. The morning had dawned clear, bright and windless. We’d watched phoebes and sparrows taking turns frolicking in the birdbath, a squirrel examining […]
Santa Paws is coming to town
The Humane Society of Ventura County’s annual holiday photo shoot will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sun., Dec. 2 at the shelter in Ojai, 402 Bryant St. Adults, children and pets can pose in photos with or without Santa. The shelter will have festive costumes available to dress up pets. Pocket pets, reptiles, rabbits and birds are […]

Love wins the day
Tragedy, loss and devastation bring out the best in our local sports teamsThe worst tragedies brought out the best in humankind. Twelve people were killed during a mass shooting at Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks on the night of Wed., Nov. 7. The next day, the Hill and Woolsey fires ignited, ravaging the Acorn countryside and surrounding areas, burning homes, property and land, and taking the lives of at least […]

How others helped and how you can too
Multiple donation sites and GoFundMe accounts have been established online to provide relief for those affected by the recent wildfires. Donors are urged to beware of sham/scam websites and to only contribute on legitimate sites. One credible organization that is leading fundraising efforts for both the Borderline shooting victims and the fire victims is the Ventura County Community Foundation. Visit […]

One fine morning at ‘venerable’ Banyan Park
On the TrailA smidgen of smudgy white clouds appeared in a conga line above Potrero Ridge in Newbury Park. It was a fine clear morning, free of the persistent heat haze the Conejo had been experiencing and free of the soppy gray fog clouds that alternated with the haze. The little white clouds were in a row, but none were shaped alike. […]

Lions press on after tragedy
BOYS’ WATER POLO /// Oaks Christian LionsThe effects of the recent tragedies have been felt all throughout Acorn country. The water polo community lost one of its own when former Cal Lutheran player Justin Meek was killed during the Borderline Bar and Grill shooting on Nov. 7. The horror unfolded mere hours after Oaks Christian High’s boys’ water polo team dropped their CIF-Southern Section Division 1 […]

IN MEMORIAM
NOVEMBER 7, 2018Precious lives were cut short in the mass shooting Nov. 7 in Thousand Oaks. So many were young. Today, we honor their memory.

Healthy computers
Other Side of 50Recently my husband attended a tax conference in San Diego. He came home with a complimentary backpack filled with “swag” that included a journal, highlighters, pens and logo’d Post-It Notes. Also inside the backpack was a webcam cover. This was a new one to me. My husband routinely has a piece of tape over his laptop camera, but I assumed […]

Pick up the pieces
Local athletes and teams honor victims of fires, Borderline massacreIt’s been a hell of a week. After a shooting at Borderline Bar and Grill claimed 12 innocent lives and a pair of fires ravaged the area, locals have been left to pick up the proverbial pieces. From tragedy, loss and devastation, moments of heartwarming triumph have emerged. Here are some of those moments. A SAINT’S CAREER DAY Hillcrest Christian […]