The Jan. 4 edition of the Acorn has early deadlines because of New Year's Day. Space for display ads in the Jan. 4 paper must be reserved by 11 a.m. today, Fri., Dec. 28, the same deadline for press releases and letters to the editor. More...

Mike Nakamura is doing exactly what he wants these days. Since retiring from his civil service job at the Naval Base Ventura County five years ago, the Camarillo resident has had time to pursue his hobby and perfect his passion- playing the ukulele. More...

MON., DEC. 31 Teens Celebrate Thousand Oaks Teen Center hosts annual New Year's Eve Celebration, 8 p.m. to 12:15 a.m., 1375 E. Janss Road. DJ, laser show, live band, raffles, free pizza, open soda bar, midnight balloon drop, free party hats & noise makers. Photos available. For seve... More...

A GOOD YEAR- Mike and Chris Brown, owners and operators of Cantara Cellars, and employee Alesia McVey pose at their newly opened winery in Camarillo. The Browns began making wine about three years ago and opened Cantara Cellars about 12 weeks ago. The couple hosted an official grand opening recep... More...

Camarillo Fiesta Association co-chair Mike Morgan, second from the left, presents a check to Cami Pinsak, a realtor with Keller Williams Realty and a member of the Pleasant Valley Education Foundation, and Adolfo Camarillo High School Principal Glenn Lipman, second from the right, to... More...

There is a lot of free advice in the golf community, but much of it is misleading and conflicting. Some tips are considered "mustdos" that will guarantee results for all golfers. More...

INSTANT FRIEND- Albert is a 3- or 4-year-old male mastiff/ rhodesian ridgeback mix. He is very sweet, leash-trained and a staff favorite. Albert would do best with an active family. Albert is available now for adoption at the Camarillo Animal Shelter. His animal ID is A378774. Call (805) 388-... More...

Camarillo Someone stole an undisclosed amount of property from the Chabad of Camarillo, 5800 Santa Rosa Road, sometime between Dec. 10 and 19. Vandals caused an unreported amount of damage to the wall of a building in the 100 block of La Crescenta Drive sometime between Dec. 15 a... More...

HANG IN THERE- - You can try all you want to convince a squirrel that it's better to give than receive and he'll still steal from the birds. Eagle-eyed photographer Michelle Thiesen of Newbury Park caught this thief committing larceny at her bird feeder. More...

Imogene Gregory will celebrate her 99th birthday next month and counts the years she's spent as a member of the Somis Thursday Club as among her most productive. "I think it's just great," the Leisure Village resident said. More...

It is because of the friends of the Ombudsman Program in Ventura County and their generous giving to Operation Senior Santa this year that volunteers were able to hand-deliver gifts to over 2,000 elderly residents in long-term care facilities in Ventura County. More...

As we come to the end of another year, some of us are thinking about making New Year's resolutions. But think back: How did those vows for 2007 turn out? Maybe a few people stopped smoking or drinking last Jan. 1; maybe several more gave up overeating and lost weight. More...

Although best known for his controversial confirmation 16 years ago, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas steered clear of any hot-button issues during his short speech last week at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley. More...

This almost-new Sherwood view estate has 5 bedrooms plus an office and 5.5 baths. The home, in the Conejo Valley Unified School District, has views in two directions and a large, usable backyard. The master bathroom includes a steam shower and a spa tub. More...