City of Agoura Hills Forms New Community Services Coalition to Address Society Issues

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City of Agoura Hills Forms New Community Services Coalition

Applications to Serve on New Coalition Addressing Society Issues Available July 16

Taking a leadership role in addressing current social issues affecting residents, the city of Agoura Hills announced it is forming a Community Services Coalition (CSC). The coalition will provide proactive measures to bring people and resources together within the community to respond effectively to social concerns.

“Times are much different now than they were 20 years ago,” said Agoura Hills Mayor John Edelston, who made the community services initiative part of his 2012 mayoral goals. “We want to identify the relevant issues affecting residents and address their needs—our goal in serving the community is to maximize the quality of life for our residents.”

The new coalition will look at the community from all demographics to create solutions for today’s social challenges, such as coping issues facing teens and adequa

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New West Symphony Announces Marcelo Lehninger as Music Director

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The New West Symphony Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Marcelo Lehninger as music director of the New West Symphony.  He is only the second music director in the Symphony's 17-year history.  Maestro Lehninger will conduct four of the six Masterpiece Concerts during the 2012/2013 season.

Marcelo Lehninger made his first appearance with the New West Symphony in January of 2011 when he stepped in at the last minute to conduct a Masterpiece series concert after the previously scheduled conductor became unavailable. His second appearance with the orchestra was in April of 2012.  Maestro Lehninger comes to the New West Symphony from the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He is also the associate conductor of the Minas Gerais Philharmonic Orchestra in Brazil. 

New West Symphony Board of Directors president, Jennifer Zobelein said of the appointment, "We are thrilled that Marcelo will be our new music director.  In hi
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Grand Opening of the Anthony C. Beilenson Interagency Visitor Center in Calabasas on Saturday, June 9th

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On Saturday, June 9, 2012, the new Interagency Visitor Center is opening its doors with an open house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Anthony C. Beilenson Interagency Visitor Center is nestled in the very heart of the mountains at King Gillette Ranch, 26800 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas.

This Visitor Center is the first of its kind in the Santa Monica Mountains. In one building, you will be able to interact with staff and volunteers from the National Park Service, California State Parks, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority. We'll be together, standing side by side, to guide you in building your visit to our parks.

The Visitor Center will also feature new exhibits and interactive displays, exhibits by local artists, tours of sustainable features, and a native plant garden to explore. Yet, the Interagency Visitor Center is only intended to be a launching point to your greater experience. Join us to find out more about the Santa Monica Mountains and to inform your future activities in the outdoors!

There are so many things to see and do within the Santa Monica Mountains. With the help of the new Visitor Center, you will be able to discover opportunities you may not have considered before. Or, perhaps you may be reminded of a favorite place you would like to visit again. No matter where you land along the spectrum, the Visitor Center staff and volunteers will be your resource for how to make that happen. Come ready to explore our new Visitor Center, but also all that our mountains have to offer.

Call 805-370-2301 or visit www.nps.gov/samo/planyourvisit/visitor-center.htm (at a later date - this site is work in process).

Conejo Recreation and Park District is Finalist in National Gold Medal Program

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Conejo Recreation and Park District chosen as a finalist for prestigious National Gold Medal Award

GREAT JOB CRPD! THANKS FOR ALL THAT YOU DO!

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) has selected the Conejo Recreation and Park District as a finalist in its 2012 Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management.  The District is one of four finalists in the population category of 100,000 – 250,000 people. Other finalists in this category include: The City of Round Rock (TX) Parks and Recreation Department; Rockford (IL) Park District; and South Suburban Park and Recreation District, Centennial, CO.  

NRPA’s Gold Medal program honors agencies throughout the United States which demonstrate excellence in parks and recreation through long-range planning, resource management, environmental stewardship, professional development, program development, and agency recognition.   Chosen for their considerable knowledge and experience in parks and recreation on both local and national levels, a panel of five park and recreation professionals from throughout the country review and judge the comprehensive applications. 

Jim Friedl, General Manager of the Conejo Recreation and Park District said, “To be selected as a Gold Medal finalist is recognition on a national level that we share a place with the best recreation and park agencies in the nation.  We are fortunate to have a solid board, great staff, supportive and active residents, and outstanding community partnerships.” 

The next step in the National Gold Medal process is submission of a brief video highlighting the District’s achievements and commitment to community service in the region.  Grand Plaque Award-winning agencies will be announced at the 2012 NRPA conference, held in October in Anaheim.

For further information about CRPD’s selection as a National Gold Medal finalist, please contact the District at (805) 495-6471. www.crpd.org

New Hooters Location Opens in Thousand Oaks on Mother's Day! Moms Eat Free!

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Here is a follow-up press release to our previous post on April 30th regarding the Hooters of Thousand Oaks Grand Opening on Mother's Day 2012.


Thousand Oaks will become a little more attractive and a lot more fun when the Hooters of Thousand Oaks opens its doors May 13th.  Be one of the first residents of Thousand Oaks to experience the Hooters concept of great food and world renowned atmosphere.

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Hooters of Thousand Oaks "Moms Eat Free" Grand Opening Celebration on May 13th

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We have received word that the new Hooters of Thousand Oaks will be making its premiere on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 13th. And in conjunction with that, they will be offering a Moms Eat Free deal that day. The flyer sent to me today indicates the Moms Eat Free deal is all day and applies to any menu item up to $9.99.

Hooters of Thousand Oaks will be open from 11am to 1am with the kitchen closing at midnight.

We've seen plenty of Kids Eat Free deals around town but this is the first Moms Eat Free special we've encountered! :>

City of Thousand Oaks to Release One Million Ladybugs

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On April 18, the City of Thousand Oaks released 375,000 Ladybugs in the Newbury Park and Westlake areas of the City. An additional 750,000 are scheduled to be released in May and the release sites will vary depending on locations and populations of pest insects. The release of Ladybugs is part of the City's Integrated Pest Management Program. The Program releases bugs that are beneficial to the environment annually.

The release of Ladybugs provides a natural method of protecting plant life. During its lifecycle, a single Ladybug can eat up to 5,000 insects that harm plants such as Aphids, Thrips, White Flies, and Scale. By utilizing Ladybugs as a means of biological control, the City is able to substantially reduce the need for chemical insecticides.

Additional information on the City’s Beneficial Bugs Program will be available at this year’s Public Works Week Open House on May 22 and 23 at the City’s Municipal Service Center. 

www.toaks.org

Cal Lutheran University Students Launch New Student-Run iCLU Radio Station

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University students launch iCLU radio

Programming includes music, news and sports

California Lutheran University’s new student-run radio station is live.

Hay Mun Win, "Louie" DeMetre and Ashley Messersmith in the iCLU studio (Photo by Leanne Blackwell/The Echo)At a time when other universities are closing student stations for financial reasons, Internet station iCLU has begun streaming from a studio located in the year-old center housing KCLU National Public Radio on campus.

Created by students for students, iCLU is webcasting a mix of music, live shows and pre-recorded content produced by student staff and volunteers 24/7 at www.icluradio.com. Live shows are currently streamed from 7 to 8 p.m. weekdays.

With the slogan “Your Life on Air,” the station’s goal is to provide educational and entertaining content that is an alternative to commercial radio. iCLU is a training ground for future broadcasters as well as a venue to showcase student talent.

Students are covering campus events and conducting interviews. Talk director Kat McConnell, a freshman communication major from Lake Elsinore, covers what’s hot on campus and beyond on “Gossip Girls.” Sports Director Kyle Dzurko, a sophomore communication major from Monte Sereno, hosts a weekly sports scoreboard and interview show featuring athletes and CLU and professional team news.

The station has an eclectic collection of music shows. “Blast Off” is a Top 10 countdown show covering a wide range of genres. “Kyle’s Do It Live” and “DJ French Wolf’s Electro Show” feature dance and techno music, and “Kassidy’s Radioactive Rock” plays current hits with a sprinkling of classics. Other programs include “Chad’s Country Show” and the all-encompassing “DJ Louie’s Trail Mix.”

As the staff and volunteer corps grow, the students plan to expand programming.

“We can’t wait to see how it evolves and takes on its own personality,” said General Manager Ashley Messersmith, a senior communication major from Woodland Hills.

Katherine “Louie” DeMetre, a freshman business major from Westlak

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