As Ventura County officials seek to reduce delays and costs associated with the granting of discretionary land use permits, property owners say they want the rules to be clearer before they apply for them. More...

When my son was about 3 years old, he developed an interest in baseball and began trying to hit an old beach ball we kept in the garage with an oversized plastic bat. Nothing would do but that I maintain a position just out of range, cheering on his efforts to the tune of "Watch th... More...

Conejo Valley resident Eric Blum is owner and executive producer at Eric Blum Productions, a full-service production and post-production company that has been in business for more than 25 years creating produc tions for corporate and broadcast. More...

Theodore Carl Soderberg, author of the novel "Uncharted Waters," offers six tips for a successful life. •Identify what you want and when you want it. "Figuring out your dream can be the hardest part," said Soderberg. "So if you can't be specific, that's fine." Have a firm idea in y... More...

LAUNCH INTO LEARNING- Left, Skylar Goodwin, a Flory Academy Of Science & Technology fourth grader, tries to draw by looking at her paper through a mirror and wearing big gloves. She's simulating the elements an astronaut might have to deal with at the Space Station Flory event Friday at the school i... More...

Moorpark High junior Max Dyce was going to be a great sprinter, whether he liked it or not. Although Dyce already excelled in the 110- and 300-meter hurdle events for the Musketeers, Moorpark sprint coach Gus Guardino saw a brighter future for Dyce. More...

All of these animals from the Camarillo Animal Shelter have been placed into new homes through exposure in the Acorn Newspapers. A huge 'thank you' to the pet lovers who saved these wonderful creatures. More...

Mail thefts were reported on April 15 in the 4200 block of Granadilla Drive and in the 13000 block of Williams Ranch Road. A home in the 4200 block of Hilburn Court was burglarized sometime between April 19 and 22. More...

As I departed the airplane and approached the terminal in Cusco, Peru, the faint echo of music wafted through the air. When I entered the terminal, something I never would have expected happened. My eyes welled up with tears. In front of me stood a band of about 10 Peruvian musicians playing guit... More...

I recently put $50 worth of gasoline in my car. I don't have a monster truck or a Hummer or an SUV. And I don't have two gas tanks in my car or some huge vessel that holds enough gas to last four months. I have a small 4-cylinder Mazda hatchback with a gas tank equivalent in size to som... More...

Directed by: Nicholas Stoller Starring: Jason Segel, Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis, Russell Brand, Bill Hader MPAA rating: R (for graphic nudity, sexual content, adult language and situations) Running time: 112 minutes Best suited for: More...

My son Andy just completed his Eagle Project. He didn't join Boy Scouts until he was in eighth grade and so was a bit behind some of the other boys his age. But he managed to catch up and was awarded the Life award just under six months ago. More...

Our front page story, "Hot weather sparks early fire warning," discusses important points on how ev eryone can work to insure the safety of homes and property in what may be a summer with recordbreaking temperatures. Common sense tells us that the fire department's recommendation to clear a... More...

This one-story cottage has vaulted ceilings and a fireplace between the living room and the den. The home has been remodeled and features slab granite and designer tile. The Country French kitchen has newer cabinets with designer detailing, granite countertops and stainlesssteel applian... More...