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December 17, 2009 / Front Page

Christmas tree glee

A MAGIC SMILE–Brooke MacFadyen, 5, of Newbury Park enjoys a candy cane while her family looks for the perfect Christmas tree at the Newbury Park High School Baseball Christmas T More...

These Dos Vientos holiday lights will blow your socks off

By Nancy Needham nancy@theacorn.com

If it’s not beginning to feel a lot like Christmas, a spectacular holiday display in town is prepared to change that sentiment and put everyone in the mood for jingle bells, mistletoe and Santa Claus. More...

Health & Wellness

Zumba dancing aerobics is all the rage for getting in shape

By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

It’s that New Year’s resolution time of year again, and what often tops the lists of life-changing pledges is the promise to start exercising. More...

Keep your weigh loss resolution in the coming year

Many people make the same promise to themselves every year: to finally lose those unwanted pounds. It may be easier than they think once they become aware of some of the barriers to success. More...

Protect against tummy upsets during holidays

The holiday season is a time for family gatherings, festive parties, holiday treats and occasional digestive upsets. Registered dietitian Ashley Koff offers advice on how to enjoy grandma’s eggnog, holiday sweets and more. More...

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Dining & Entertainment

The Movie Nut

Funny how history’s successes are so often easily forgotten but its failures—often measured in terms of millions of lives or countries in ruin—are indelibly stamped into books and plastered on the silver screen. More...

‘Nutcracker’ ballet at Civic Arts Plaza

The Moorpark Civic Ballet will present its annual production of “The Nutcracker” at 7 p.m. Fri., Dec. 18 and 1:30 p.m. Sat., Dec. 19 at the Ray Scherr Forum, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. More...

‘Christmas Carol’ on the air

Every Now and Then Theatre will air its rendition of “Christmas Carol—A Ghost Story,” at noon, 5 and 10 p.m. Christmas Eve, Dec. 24 on radio stations NewsTalk 1520 KVTA and 1400 KKZZ. More...

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Sports

Westlake’s gamble pays off

Freshman QB scores in final minute to secure CIF crown

By Stephen Dorman sdorman@theacorn.com

“Sometimes nothin’ can be a real cool hand.” — Cool Hand Luke, 1967 Westlake High freshman backup quarterback Justin Moore figured: Why not? More...

Warriors left out of bowl picture

By Stephen Dorman sdorman@theacorn.com

Two of the most thrilling postseason victories in school history couldn’t generate enough momentum to land the undefeated Westlake High football team an invitation to the CIF State Football Championship Bowl Games this weekend at Ho More...

Panthers relying on speed, athleticism

By Eliav Appelbaum eliav@theacorn.com

The Panthers have their work cut out defending the Marmonte League title. Fortunately for the Newbury Park High girls’ basketball team, Panther players are willing to do the work necessary to repeat as champions. More...

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Pets

Ventura County seniors open their doors to senior pets

By Michelle Knight knight@theacorn.com

Over the years, Duane and Margaret Westrom have opened their door and their hearts to the several cats that have shown up on their Camarillo doorstep. They’ve enjoyed the warmth and companionship the pets brought to their home. More...

Squirrel of the Month

A NEW CATEGORY?– Ariana Barton,16, and her family go to Conejo Creek Park almost every Sunday to feed the ducks and squirrels. More...

Pet of the Week

ON THE HUNT—Gringo, a male 2-year-old tan-and-black shepherd/chow chow mix, can be adopted from the Agoura Animal Shelter at 29525 Agoura Road. More...

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Family

Miniature winter scene

A TOWN SO SWEET—A gingerbread city hall is depicted among a snowy scene created from Smarties candies, gumdrops and lots of frosting. More...

Student receives award

Colleen Murphy, a student at La Reina High School in Thousand Oaks, received the St. Michael’s College Scholarship and Service Book Award. Colleen is the daughter of Terry and Marianne Murphy of Westlake Village. More...

Homes are festive for the holidays

BEDECKED FOR THE SEASON—Visitors descend a second-floor staircase in the Agoura Hills home of Elly and John Schneider during the 18th annual Wellness Community Holiday Home Tour. More...

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Letters

People with dogs should know which park they’re in

This is in response to the Nov. More...

Bridges wants a good relationship with CVUSD

On Dec. 1, the Conejo Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) board rejected Bridges’ charter petition. More...

Pedestrians at risk in Thousand Oaks

I walk my daughter to Wildwood Elementary School every morning. We cross Lynn Road at the light at Avenida de Las Flores. Numerous times I’ve had to yell at motorists to keep them from hitting us as we step into the crosswalk. More...

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City of Thousand Oaks may tighten its belt on staff salaries

By Nancy Needham nancy@theacorn.com

The City Council could reopen labor contract negotiations with city employees next year in an economic climate that outgoing mayor Tom Glancy described as “awful at the federal level and unspeakable at the state level.” Local More...

Homeless shelters get busy in a hurry when winter weather hits

With cold winter rains pounding Thousand Oaks, forcing homeless people to find a place with a roof, Lutheran Social Services’ winter homeless shelter opened just in time. About 20 people checked in by the 8 p.m. More...

Community

Manna needs food as demand increases

Nancy Needham nancy@theacorn.com

Donations to local food bank Manna have been abundant, but so has the demand. On a recent Friday, 58 families were served, and 41 families were served over a threehour period on a recent Saturday. More...

Man, 32, killed in car crash early Tuesday

A single car crash left a man trapped and he suffocated in his burning car at 3:50 a.m. Tuesday. There were no witnesses to the fatal crash that the Thousand Oaks Police Department and Ventura County Medical Examiner are still investigating. More...

Nonprofit has new executive board

Outgoing Community Conscience President Ken Humphrey passed the gavel to Dee Crawford at a recent installation dinner at Los Robles Greens Golf Course. More...

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Bulletin Board

Datebook

THURS., DEC. 17 Agoura Chamber of Commerce 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Reeds Furniture, 28401 Canwood St., Agoura Hills. Holiday reception. Penland Award presentation. Guest speaker Mike Paule, Oak Park MAC chair. Time: 5:30 p.m. More...

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Schools

Thanks to you, children are giving, too

Superintendent’s column

By Mario Contini Special to the Acorn

Just when you thought they weren’t looking, we find that the students in our district, kindergarten through high school, are modeling the good deeds of the extraordinary adults around them— parents, family members, teachers, n More...