Moorpark Acorn

National champions!

By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com — 05/09/2008

Moorpark students prevailed over about 350 participants from 41 states at the 2008 National Academic Decathlon competition in Garden Grove last week. The team accumulated 53,119 points out of a possible 60,000.

Boy Scouts work to restore their community

By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com — 05/09/2008

Brian Hoapili and fellow members of Boy Scout Troop 605 are determined to win the battle against vandalism, one patch of paint at a time. The boys and their leaders were cleaning up graffiti in a flood control channel on Loyola Street last Saturday as neighbors and local officials looked on appreciatively.

Resident wants stolen SUV back

By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com — 05/09/2008

Gabriela Hoban drove to Fillmore on Monday and to the San Fernando Valley on Tuesday in search of her SUV, which had been stolen from the Moorpark Marketplace parking lot early last Sunday afternoon. "I'm very upset. I want my darn car back or at the very least the kids' stuff," she said.

High Street loses more trees

05/09/2008

TIMBER!- Workers remove two large pine trees from the 400 block of High Street. City officials state the trees were taken down because the plants were diseased. One of the trees had a girth of 13 feet and the other, 7 feet. The photographer estimated the trees' height at more than 90 feet. RICHARD GRAY/Special to the Acorn

Suspect arrested for attempted murder

05/09/2008

Police arrested Gilbert Joseph Gutierrez of Moorpark on May 1 for allegedly stabbing Camarillo resident Gregory Allan Ruiz, 19, in the back following an argument in the 100 block of Moorpark Avenue last month. Gutierrez was taken into custody and is being held in lieu of $500,000 bail.

Ventura-based equine places high in Kentucky Derby

By Daniel Wolowicz camarillo@theacorn.com — 05/09/2008

Come the World Championship Breeder's Cup at Santa Anita Park this October, odds are Carl Grether's 4-year-old filly Intangaroo will have traded the label of "long shot" for that of "favorite.

Police ask public to help identify man's remains

05/09/2008

Investigators have run out of leads and are asking the public for help in identifying the skeletal remains of a man found on a Somis ranch two months ago. Police say the suspicious death of a man between the age of 21 and 50, 5 feet 3 inches to 5 feet 7 inches tall and of mixed ancestry, could be a homicide.

Mother unlocks daughter's potential

By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com — 05/09/2008

Although motherhood is a lifelong commitment laden with challenges, the priceless experiences and countless rewards can't be duplicated, according to Debbie Heaslip, whose daughter Miranda was diagnosed with a seizure condition and brain tumor when she was a young child.

Resident reported missing

05/09/2008

A vehicle belonging to a missing Moorpark man was recovered May 3 in Monterey Park, but the man's whereabouts are unknown. The 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser belonged to the brother of Gilbert Valenzuela. Gilbert was reported missing by members of his family on May 2. He was last seen at 10 p.m. May 1.

Moorpark man arrested on suspicion of molesting child

05/09/2008

Danny Ivy Floyd Jr., 39, of Moorpark, was arrested Wednesday in Thousand Oaks for committing lewd acts on a child. Floyd, who is employed as a school bus driver for a transportation company in Thousand Oaks, was arrested without incident at his workplace.

Bill would grant rights to crime victims, reform parole system

By Darleen Principe darleen@theacorn.com — 05/09/2008

Supporters of a new statewide initiative that would create a bill of rights for crime victims and reform the parole system turned in more than 1.25 million signatures to the Sacramento registrar's office this week in hopes of getting the measure on the November 2008 ballot, county officials announced Monday.

Moorpark Mammoth goes Hollywood with new DVD

05/09/2008

Five California Lutheran University students are creating an interactive DVD and Internet site to educate students and the public about the 2005 discovery of the Moorpark Mammoth, the second most complete southern mammoth skeleton in North America.

'Queen of kiwi' to address businesswomen

05/09/2008

Frieda Caplan, founder and chairman of the board of Frieda's Specialty Produce, will be the keynote speaker at the upcoming 10th annual Bravo Awards at the Moorpark Country Club on May 16.

Student to attend Girls State

05/09/2008

The Moorpark American Le gion Auxiliary Unit 502 has selected Zoe Sophos as a representative to Girls State, a civics and government program that brings together high school girls from across the state to Sacramento to participate in civics education and mock government activities.

Mothers' group hosts party

05/09/2008

The Marvelous Mom's Club will host a 10th birthday celebration on Sat., May 17 at the park behind the Arroyo Vista Recreation Center, 4550 Tierra Rejada Road, Moorpark. The party will include cake, music, games and play time. Club members will sing "Happy Birthday" and cut the cake at 1:30, 2 and 2:30 p.m.

Families can look for arrowheads on hike

05/09/2008

The city of Moorpark Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department will offer its popular "family arrowhead hike" from 11:30 a.m. to about 1 p.m. Sun., May 18 along the Seranata Trail in Moorpark. Hikers should meet at 11:15 a.m. at the Miller Park picnic pavilion, 4530 Miller Parkway.

Happy Mother's Day 2008

05/09/2008

Jean Schlatter is the most rootin' tootin' mother in town! She is the best in the west because she's the biggest brainiac and can complete a sudoko poem faster than anyone we know. Mom has greener thumbs than anyone in all the land. We can't wait until her homegrown tomatoes are included in her amazing repertoire of dinners.

Council to tweak theater operations

By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com — 05/09/2008

The City Council Wednesday unanimously approved a proposal to fine-tune the operations of the High Street Arts Center, hoping to increase revenue and further involve residents in the venture. The proposed changes are focused and achievable, said Council Members Roseann Mikos and Mark Van Dam.

children succeed in schoolwork Early vision check-ups can help

By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com — 05/09/2008

Vision problems are not always easy to spot in young children because preschoolers don't know how to verbalize that they have trouble seeing.

We're all in this together

05/09/2008

I vividly recall an incident in my family when I was about 9 years old. It was a beautiful summer morning and I had just sat down on a swing seat in our backyard. I was dreamily watching a butterfly flit across some roses when my younger sister came flying around the corner of the house. Soon after, red-faced and in hot pursuit, came my father.

Datebook

05/09/2008

FRI., MAY 9 American Folk Dancing West Valley Folk Dancers will dance 7:15 to 10 p.m., Canoga Park Senior Center, 7326 Jordan Ave. American dance "Mega Mambo" taught. For all ages, skill levels. Wear soft shoes. $4. (818) 591-9078.

Theater camp to present 'Beauty & Beast'

05/09/2008

The High Street Arts Center, in association with Gypsy Productions, will present the 2008 Summer Musical Theater Camp for youths ages 7 to 15. The camp will culminate with four performances of "Disney'sBeauty and the Beast.

Sage Publications CEO to speak at commencement

05/09/2008

Blaise Simqu, president and CEO for Sage Publications, will be the speaker at the Moorpark College commencement scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Thurs., May 15 on the Campus Center Quad. Nearly 1,200 students have earned their degrees during this academic year, and more than 300 will take part in the ceremony.

Carnival at Chaparral

05/09/2008

Chaparral Middle School will host "Showcase of the Stars" from 5:30 to 9 p.m. today, Fri., May 9 on campus, 280 Poindexter Ave., Moorpark. The event includes classroom crafts, carnival games, raffles, dunk tank, cake walk, smoothies, ice cream and milkshakes.

Coping with rising costs

05/09/2008

In a time of falling home prices and an uncertain economy, even parents who make good money are worried about the increasing cost of a college education.

Students can keep learning during summer vacation

05/09/2008

Parents concerned that their children will forget everything they learned in school over the course of the summer months away from school may have every reason to worry, according to a study by Duke University.

Mesa Verde hosts concert

05/09/2008

The Mesa Verde Middle School Music Program will present its Spring Concert from 7 to 8 p.m. Tues., May 13 in the campus multipurpose room, 14000 Peach Hill Road, Moorpark. The school's advanced, intermediate and beginning bands and strings perform under the guidance of instructor Samantha Blake.

Despite blowout loss, Musketeers have a reason to celebrate

By Stephen Dorman sdorman@theacorn.com — 05/09/2008

Ten minutes after suffering an 11-2 loss to Thousand Oaks High in its regular-season finale Wednesday afternoon, the Moorpark Musketeers baseball team was spread across the diamond in a state of subdued anticipation. And then came the phone call they had all been waiting for.

Holding his ground

05/09/2008

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers NO FREE PASSES- Moorpark High varsity baseball player Colton Gabrielson tries to avoid being tagged out by Moorpark Little League Coach Pitch White Sox catcher Jesse Vasquez, 6, during an exhibition game at MHS Monday evening. It's a yearly tradition for the varsity team to play a Little League squad.

Sheriff's Blotter

05/09/2008

On March 18 in the 6400 block of Westwood Street, known suspects set fire to someone's property, causing total destruction. On April 12 a dog was stolen from a backyard in the 11000 block of Honeybrook Court. Thieves used a stolen ATM card on April 24 to make purchases without the owner's consent. The incident took place in the 500 block of Los Angeles Avenue.

City police to enforce seat belt laws

05/09/2008

The Moorpark Police Department will be aggressively enforcing the state's seat belt laws as part of California's 2008 Click It or Ticket mobilization, taking place May 12 through June 1. The campaign relies on enforcement and public education as a means to help California achieve the highest seat belt use rate in the nation.

Mormon choir to sing in Simi

05/09/2008

The Southern California Mormon Choir will perform at 7 p.m. Sat., May 10 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints Sinaloa Building, 480 Sinaloa Road, Simi Valley. There will be an open house and refreshments served after the performance. The public is invited and admission is free.

'Monkee man' wows the crowd at CVD

By Sally Carpenter sallyc@theacorn.com — 05/09/2008

Fans came from as far away as Lodi, Calif., to greet Monkees lead singer Micky Dolenz on May 1 at Conejo Valley Days in Thousand Oaks. Audience members began arriving at 5 p.m. to stake out front row seats for the 8 p.m. show.

"Iron Man"

05/09/2008

Directed by: Jon Favreau Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Jeff Bridges, Terrence Howard and Gwyneth Paltrow Rated: PG13 (mostly bloodless action violence) Running time: 125 minutes Best suited for: superhero fanatics Least suited for:

Swept away by inspiration

05/09/2008

CHALK TALK- Miranda Lipson, 11, of Moorpark, battles the wind as she takes part in a chalk drawing in a parking lot during the Moorpark Arts Festival on Sunday. Activities took place in the Moorpark Civic Center, Moorpark City Library and High Street Arts Center. JOE BINOYA/Acorn Newspapers

Pirates ahoy in Ojai

05/09/2008

The 18th annual Ojai Renaissance Pirate Faire will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sat. and Sun., May 10 and 11 at Lake Casitas in the Ojai Valley, off Hwy. 33. The fair will feature three stages with ongoing presentations and plays.

Spinning wheel

05/09/2008

ARTISTIC FLAIR- Sixyearold Veronica Hernandez tries her hand in pottery making during the Moorpark Arts Festival held at various downtown venues on Sunday. The event featured hundreds of artists of all ages exhibiting their talents in theater, music, fine arts, sculpting and landscaping. JOE BINOYA/Acorn Newspapers

Arts center presents 'Curious Savage'

05/09/2008

John Patrick's comedy "The Curious Savage" will open 8 p.m. Fri., May 16 at the High Street Arts Center, 45 E. High St., Moorpark. The play will run through June 15. Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, with 2 p.m. matinees on Sundays.

Teacher appalled by budget cuts

05/09/2008

On May 14, the teachers of Moorpark Unified will be picketing specific corners to inform the communities of Moorpark how devastating the impending cuts are going to be for our students. I know that Californians have heard this rhetoric before, but this time the cuts are truly disturbing.

Let's hear it for Mom!

05/09/2008

It doesn't seem fair. For all they do, only one day of the year is set aside to recognize moms. A week seems more appropriate. But then again, most busy moms don't have more than 15 minutes, let alone a week, to take a well-deserved bow and collect the multiple "thank-yous" they so richly deserve.

Cartoon

05/09/2008

This Home Includes A Cook's Kitchen, Private Dining Room And Large Family Room

05/09/2008

This home includes a gourmet cook's kitchen with professional appliances and a cooking island. The private dining room and large family room open to the kitchen. The master bath has cherry colored cabinetry and a walk-in closet.

The Neals

05/09/2008

The Neals are a trio of Realtors with Prudential California Realty's Thousand Oaks office. They are also a tight-knit family. Spearheaded by veteran agent Kathi Neal, the Neals represent two generations of real estate professionals. Also on the team are Rob Neal, Kathi's son, and his wife, Jennifer Neal.

Move-in Ready

05/09/2008

This Ventu Park home is move-in ready. The kitchen has stainless steel appliances, granite counters and custom cabinetry. There is stone flooring throughout the living areas. There is a separate granny flat on a private floor of the house and a full master bedroom and bath on the ground floor.

Pamela Rocklin

05/09/2008

Pamela Rocklin, a sales associate with the Coldwell Banker Westlake Village Regional office was congratulated by Frances Lewis, branch manager, for receiving the firm's International President's Circle award representing the top 4 percent of sales associates internationally.

Jennifer AutenRamseyer

05/09/2008

For February 2008, the award for Top Selling Agent from Prudential California Realty's North Ranch/West lake Village went to Jennifer Auten-Ramseyer. She has extensive knowledge of each of the communities located in Agoura Hills, Malibu, Westlake Village, the Conejo Valley, Oxnard, and other areas in Ventura County.