Moorpark Acorn

From fields of plenty

11/28/2008

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers PERCHING PRETTY—A black bird stops to rest on top of corn and pumpkins at Tierra Rejada Ranch in Moorpark.

Schools feel the pinch of budget cuts

By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com — 11/28/2008

As Moorpark Unified School District officials brace for possible midyear budget cuts, school site leaders who already struggle to operate with reduced resources said they work hard to preserve an upbeat ambiance on campus. A positive atmosphere encourages teachers and students to move forward despite the challenges, they said.

Treasury secretary shares view on economy

By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com — 11/28/2008

Speaking at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley on Nov. 20, United States Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson defended the government's intervention in the current financial crisis and discussed how to lead the nation back toward recovery.

Controller discusses state spending

By Eliav Appelbaum eliav@theacorn.com — 11/28/2008

If California wants to survive the latest financial mess, the government and residents need to be held accountable, said John Chiang, California's controller.

Listen to the band

11/28/2008

TOOT SWEET— Above, 38 bands compete in the 13th annual Battle of the Bands Field Show Tournament last Saturday at Moorpark High School, presented by the school's Band and Color Guard Boosters. Left, Rebekah Finnsson, 14, performs with the Westminster High School Entertainment Unit.

College programs for older learners

11/28/2008

The Outreach and Admissions Department will host the third annual "Getting Started at Moorpark College Education Fair and Info Session" for adults from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tues., Dec. 2 in the Campus Center, 7075 Campus Road.

Family buys first home for holidays

By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com — 11/28/2008

Laura RitchieRojas is not ordinarily fond of cooking, but this year is different, she said, because she can prepare her family's holiday meals in the kitchen of her new home in the Moorpark Highlands. The Rojas family is one of 18 that were able to buy a home through the city's First Time Home Buyer program this year.

Local family struggles after train crash

By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com — 11/28/2008

Fri., Sept. 12 started out as a beautiful day for Moorpark resident Aurora Prieto and her daughter Laura, who lives in a home for people with special needs in Granada Hills.

Time to sign up for Medicare drug plans

11/28/2008

From now until Dec. 31, seniors who are eligible for Medicare can sign up for prescription drug coverage or change their existing plan. "Qualified seniors should not delay," said Peter Pitts, president of the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest.

Spa to host fundraiser for fire victims

11/28/2008

The Oasis Day Spa and Salon will host a fundraiser to help the victims of the recent wildfires from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sat., Dec. 6 at the spa, 2340 Tapo St., Simi Valley. Twenty percent of all sales that day will be donated to the American Red Cross for the fire victims. Door prizes will be given out.

Food donations help families stay healthy

11/28/2008

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers WORKING TOGETHER— Members of the MOMS Club of Moorpark brought along their children and husbands to the Moorpark Food Pantry on Saturday morning to deliver 20 baskets of food for needy families.

CPR course

11/28/2008

A threehour CPR certification course will be offered at 9 a.m. Sat., Dec. 6 at the Newbury Park Athletic Club, 161 N. Reino Road, Newbury Park. The class includes adult, child and infant CPR and AED operation. A $50 fee is charged for twoyear certification.

Datebook

11/28/2008

SAT., NOV. 29 Conejo Valley Archers Shoot 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Tapo Canyon Park, 4651 Tapo Canyon Road, Simi Valley. Equipment, instructors provided. All ages, rain or shine. $3, four hours of shooting. Phone: 805.530.

Arroyo West promotes heathly lunchtime eating habits

By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com — 11/28/2008

Students at Arroyo West Elementary School packed a colorful assortment of fruits and vegetables in their lunchboxes last week as part of the "Pack Assorted Colors for Kids Week." The weeklong healthy-eating initiative used color themes to promote variety.

Rotarians donate dictionaries

11/28/2008

WORD POWER—Members of the Moorpark Rotary Club hand out new dictionaries to the third graders at Walnut Canyon Elementary School recently. The club annually gives dictionaries to all third graders in the local school district to promote education.

Moorpark basketball team building from the ground up

By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com — 11/28/2008

It's been difficult for the Moorpark High boys' basketball team to practice this fall with a portion of the roster still grinding it out in the playoffs for the school's football squad. MHS is hoping that when the football players finally arrive, they'll bring along their winning ways.

Musketeers face Atascadero in Round 2

11/28/2008

WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers TRIP TO THE QUARTERS—Moorpark High ball-carrier Corey Gresiak, center, is swallowed up by the Camarillo defense during last weekend's 45-21 MHS victory in the first round of the CIF-Southern Section Northern Division playoffs. The Musketeers (10-1) travel to Atascadero (9-2) tonight for a quarterfinal clash with the Greyhounds. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Pet of the Week

11/28/2008

LOOKING FOR A 'BESS' FRIEND?— Bess is a 3-year-old, female, purebred Newfoundland breed. She is full- grown at more than 100 pounds. She is friendly, sweet and energetic but not overwhelming. Please keep in mind that activity at the animal shelter can be brisk, as pets top the list of many holiday gift lists. Bess can be adopted at the Camarillo Animal Shelter at the Camarillo Airport. Ask for ID No. A456181. Visit www.vcar.us or call (805) 388-4341 before visiting the shelter. WENDY PIERRO Acorn Newspapers

Sheriff's Blotter

11/28/2008

Thieves stole several items from a residence on Dracena Avenue on Nov. 15. Several power tools were stolen on Nov. 17 from a utility trailer in the 8700 block of Los Angeles Avenue. On Nov. 17 a known suspect stole items from the grocery store in the 100 block of West Los Angeles Avenue.

Four days of music in Simi

11/28/2008

The Simi Community Christmas event with a créche exhibit and music performances will be Dec. 5, 6, 7 and 9 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sinaloa Stake Center, 480 Sinaloa Road, Simi Valley. Admission and parking is free. The public is welcomed.

Sharing food for everyone

11/28/2008

TOM PIEHN/Special to the Acorn GIVING GROUP—Deacons at Moorpark Presbyterian Church use food donated by church members to make baskets for needy church families and for the Moorpark Food Pantry last Sunday. They also gathered food at the church's annual Thanksgiving Feast.

High school chorus to sing at women's club meeting

11/28/2008

The Moorpark Women's Fortnightly Club will hold its general meeting and luncheon on Fri., Dec. 12, at the Moorpark Country Club, 11800 Championship Drive. Social time and registration will begin at 9:45 a.m.

Weekly recipe

11/28/2008

8 ounces spaghetti 3 cups cooked turkey, cubed 3 tbls. butter or margarine 1 can cream of mushroom soup 1 can cream of chicken soup 1/4 cup chopped onion 1 cup grated cheddar cheese 2 cups chicken broth 2 tsps.

Concerts, kids theater at Simi Valley arts center

11/28/2008

The Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center at 3050 Los Angeles Ave. presents the following shows. •Pacific Sound Male A Capella Choral concert will be at 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Dec. 4. All seats are $18 general admission. •Pinki's Playhouse: Theatre for Kids To See will be at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sat., Dec. 6. For ages kindergarten to third grade.

Melodrama returns to High Street in Christmas show

11/28/2008

The High Street Arts Center presents the return of the Moorpark Melodrama with "The Plight Before Christmas" by Fred J. Cusick and Diane Moore with additional material by Will Shupe. The show runs Dec. 5 through 21 at 45 East High St., Moorpark.

'Nutcracker' dances onto Moopark College stage

11/28/2008

The Moorpark Symphony Orchestra, along with the Moorpark College Choral Music and Dance departments, will present Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" ballet score at 8 p.m. Sat., Dec. 6 on the Main Stage, Performing Arts Center, 7075 Campus Road, Moorpark.

Ceramics sale

11/28/2008

The annual fall student ceramics sale will take place from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wed. and Thurs., Dec. 3 and 4 in Room T114, Ceramics Studio, Technology Building at Moorpark College, 7075 Campus Road. For more information, call (805) 378-1400, ext. 1770 or visit www.moorpark.edu.

The Movie Nut

11/28/2008

The holiday season's upon us with a plethora of upbeat cinematic offerings. One can usually gauge our economic woes by the deluge of lighthearted fare emanating from Hollywood. Mickey Mouse saved our grandparents from the Depression, and it looks like Disney just might take the helm again this time around.

Keeps an eye on Tony Strickland

11/28/2008

I want to add my voice to those already expressed regarding Janice Parvin's endorsement of Tony Strickland. I too feel that she should not be giving out political endorsements when she is running for a non-partisan office. I withheld my vote from her for this election and shall do so in further elections if this represents her judgment.

No more hatred over politics

11/28/2008

After strongly disagreeing with Lisa Padilla for so long about Proposition 8, I was delighted to see in her Nov. 14 letter to the editor ("Not happy with election results") that we share so much common ground. As one of those whom she labels "paranoid, under-informed people," I, too, hope the name calling can end.

The definition of marriage

11/28/2008

I'm not sure I understand all the furor over the Proposition 8 issue. I thought it was about the meaning of the word "marriage" and not about anyone's rights. Does calling the relationship of two individuals of the same sex who enter into a lifetime commitment a "marriage" or a "domestic partnership" actually affect their rights?

Equal rights with civil unions

11/28/2008

In response to the demonstrations by the opponents of Prop. 8, they are correct. No one should be denied their civil rights. Hence, I recommend a solution. We should all write to our state legislature right now and ask that they pass the following proposed bill.

Update from Breanna Pflaumer

11/28/2008

Did you know I just celebrated my 18th birthday, and soon to follow is my four-year anniversary since diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor, and they said Ihad three weeks to three months to live. Let me tell you attitude is everything, and I have been doing great, feeling good, eating well and putting on weight.

We can all be thankful for generous people

11/28/2008

For nearly 30 years, George Annino has shared a simple but incredibly compassionate philosophy: People who have food should share it with people who don't. It's common sense. That's why it works. It all started when he was growing up in Brooklyn, N.Y., and more years ago than George would probably like to admit. George's parents lived by the same words.

Cartoon

11/28/2008

For the record

11/28/2008

Last week's article "Voice teacher named Champion of the Arts" stated in error that Marilyn Anderson would perform as a soloist with the Stake Choir on Dec. 6 at the Simi Community Christmas event. Anderson will perform with pianist Christine DeKlotz at 8 p.m. Sun., Dec.

LoanSmart To Provide Homebuyer Readiness Reviews

11/28/2008

When purchasing a home whether or not it is your first home or you are you are moving up, there are some basic steps that you can insure a successful financial decision. •Review your monthly income.

Lora Martin and Michael Radonic

11/28/2008

Veteran team Lora Martin and Michael Radonic won the award for Top Listing Agents from Prudential California Realty's Thousand Oaks Regional office in July 2008.