The Miami Times · Malibu, CA
Malibu, Calif. — November 13, 2026 — For many parents, the most important question about surf instruction is not how quickly their child will stand up on a board, but who will be in the water alongside them. At Malibu Makos Surf Club, that answer has long been the same: instructors with deep ocean backgrounds, many shaped by years of lifeguarding and surfing. "Parents hand us something precious when they drop their kids off at the beach," said Tom Corliss, founder of Malibu Makos Surf Club. "Knowing that the person teaching their child has spent years watching the water and reading conditions gives them real peace of mind."Corliss built that philosophy from his own path. Before founding the club in 1991, he worked as an ocean lifeguard, and that perspective still guides how Malibu Makos Surf Club delivers private surf lessons in Malibu, CA.
Concord Monitor · Santa Monica, CA
Nearby: Santa Monica, CANew London, NH – Maureen Teresa (Herlihy) Strachan, 84, of New London, New Hampshire, died peacefully on November 5, 2026, surrounded by her family. She was born on January 9, 1942, in White Plains, New York, to Jack and Mary (Dennis) Herlihy.Maureen grew up in Irvington, New York, and graduated from Irvington High School. The first in her family to go on to higher education, she trained at the Central Islip School of Nursing on Long Island, then headed west to Santa Monica, California, where she worked as an intensive care nurse. When she returned to New York, she joined White Plains Hospital as an RN and was involved in opening the hospital’s first cardiac care unit, where she then worked. She married Matthew J. Strachan, and after some years in Pleasantville, New York, they settled in Bedford, New York, where they raised their children and spent summers on Lake Sunapee in New Hampshire. She was proud of raising strong, independent children.
Honolulu Civil Beat · Santa Monica, CA
Nearby: Santa Monica, CANick Nikhilananda has been a member of the Green Party of Hawaiʻi for nearly 35 years. His history is so deep that he played a role in getting the party on Hawaiʻi’s ballot for the first time, way back in 1992. That was accomplished along with people like the late Ira Rohter, a University of Hawaiʻi political science professor who helped found and co-chair the group. The Green Party has fielded dozens of candidates over the years, including Nikhilananda himself. It saw a couple of them elected in the 1990s to the Hawaiʻi County Council, which today is nonpartisan like all county offices. But Greens have not succeeded in getting more members elected since. The state is too dominated by Democrats with Republicans comprising a weak yet vocal minority. On Nov. 3, that all changed, at least for one seat in the 76-member Legislature. Pāʻele Kiakona, a Green, defeated Democrat Sne Patel and Republican Elle Cochran in House District 14 representing the Lahaina area.
The Corsair · Santa Monica, CA
Nearby: Santa Monica, CASanta Monica College Corsairs Melanie Lui (4), Mia Michele Whitlock (10), Alison Cumming (15), Lucy White (9), Ava Rae Salvo (5) celebrating after scoring a point agains Canyons at SMC November 6, 2026 Calif. (Doruk Sen | The Corsair) Anna Hockett and Nadene Laalaai Taase blocking the ball, Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, Calif., on Nov. 6 2026. (Doruk Sen | The Corsair) Santa Monica College’s Anna Hockett (8) reaches for the ball at the net as a Abby Ramirez jumps to block during a women’s volleyball match in Santa Monica, Calif., on November 6 2026. (Doruk Sen | The Corsair) Ava Rae Salvo on the last set of the womens volleyball game between Santa Monica college corsairs and Canyons game, checking her teammates position in Santa Monica, Calif., on November 6 2026. (Doruk Sen | The Corsair) On Nov. 6, the Santa Monica College women’s volleyball team triumphed in four sets against College of the Canyons, with outside hitters Mia Whitlock and Nadene Taase leading the way.
The Corsair · Santa Monica, CA
Nearby: Santa Monica, CASanta Monica College (SMC) student Lily Gray, a Communications major, poses for a photograph after drawing a BBL (Brazilian Butt Lift) raffle ticket during Club Row on the SMC Main Campus Quad on Thursday, Oct. 29th, 2026, in Santa Monica, Calif. This week's Club Row also featured a costume contest ahead of Halloween. Club Row offers student clubs an opportunity to connect with students, share flyers, showcase what makes their club unique, and recruit new members. (Guillermo De La Barreda | The Corsair) Santa Monica College (SMC) student Judy King (center) poses for a photograph with other fellow students during Club Row on the SMC Main Campus Quad on Thursday, Oct. 29th, 2026, in Santa Monica, Calif. King is a member of both the Japanese Language and Culture Club Association and the Chinese Culture Club. This week's Club Row also featured a costume contest ahead of Halloween.
Pacific Coast Business Times · Thousand Oaks, CA
Nearby: Thousand Oaks, CAIn this line of work, I meet a lot of interesting people every day and I am particularly excited to share some of the highlights from my conversation with Connor Abrams, a marketing executive from Thousand Oaks who has worked with some big brands — including Kelley Blue Book, Warner Bros. and Amgen — and to share his thoughts on how and why small businesses should be incorporating AI where they can. He said it is “a huge advantage” for small businesses today, starting from scratch, that they have access to AI. “I know how to run campaigns on programmatic platforms and Meta. But with the right instructions, I can use AI to build tools that automate parts of that work,” Abrams said. He gave the example of an automotive business trying to figure out its competition. He said a bot could do research to find potential customers, build a plan for society, hire a third-party videographer, all while the owner of the shop keeps his focus on taking care of the cars.
Simi Valley Acorn · Thousand Oaks, CA
Nearby: Thousand Oaks, CAVoiced memories and reflections mingled with the quiet activity around the Conejo Creek Park North Lakeside Pavilion Nov. 7 as friends and family honored those who were lost at the 2018 Borderline Bar and Grill shooting. Ducks on the nearby pond paddled past the 12 water jets dedicated to those lost, while a child hopped from rock to rock nearby. It was an ordinary scene unfolding alongside remembrance of an extraordinary loss—and an unintended reminder of a message shared by speakers at the eighth anniversary memorial: Life goes on, and what we do with it matters. About 100 people gathered at Conejo Creek Park North to remember the 12 people killed in the Nov. 7, 2018 mass shooting in Thousand Oaks. A dozen candles, each placed beside a single rose, were lit as the names of the victims—Sean Adler, Cody Coffman, Blake Dingman, Jake Dunham, Alaina Housley, Daniel Manrique, Justin Meek, Mark Meza, Kristina Morisette, Telemachus Orfanos, Noel Sparks and Ventura County Sheriff ’s Sgt.
Thousand Oaks Acorn · Thousand Oaks, CA
Nearby: Thousand Oaks, CAOSCAR-WORTHY—Moderator Scott Tallal with actors Jafaar Jackson and Colman Domingo at Malibu Film Society’s showing of “Michael” Nov. 2 at the AMC in T.O. Courtesy Jimy Tallal For Conejo Valley moviegoers, awards season is arriving with more than trailers, red carpets and Oscar predictions. At the AMC 14 in Thousand Oaks, audiences are getting the chance to see some of Hollywood’s most anticipated films—often before they open in theaters —and, in some cases, hear directly from the actors and filmmakers behind them. That is the niche carved out by the Malibu Film Society, an all-volunteer nonprofit now presenting its 18th annual Awards Season Screening Series, and the second year AMC is host. “Expanding into the Conejo Valley has really helped us serve a much wider audience, especially among the hundreds of industry professionals who live here.” said Scott Tallal, Malibu Film Society president. The latest example came Mon., Nov.
Thousand Oaks Acorn · Thousand Oaks, CA
Nearby: Thousand Oaks, CANonprofit organizations and school groups in Thousand Oaks can apply for grants of up to $4,500 to help fund community beautification and environmental projects. The city is accepting applications for its 2026-27 Community Environmental Enhancement Grant Program through Dec. 10. Grants range from $2,000 to $4,500 and can be used for projects such as water conservation, litter collection, recycling, waste reduction, energy conservation, composting and public education. Examples include installing rain barrels, drip irrigation systems and water bottle refill stations, or replacing grass with wood chips. Projects must be located within Thousand Oaks and completed within one year of receiving the grant. Applications must be submitted by email to [email protected] no later than 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10. The application and program guidelines are available at www.toaks.gov/grants. For more information, email TOgrants@ toaks.gov or call Sarah Mailes at 805-381- 7362.
Thousand Oaks Acorn · Thousand Oaks, CA
Nearby: Thousand Oaks, CATWO TEENS ARRESTED—The 40-acre Jamie Foxx property, including a 17,000-square-foot villa, is where the Nov. 7 violence erupted. Academy Award-winning actor Jamie Foxx’s annual Halloween party near Thousand Oaks turned truly scary over the weekend—though not quite as frightening as initially reported. The Ventura County Sheriff ’s Office is investigating three alleged assaults at the Nov. 7 event in the unincorporated county territory, including an incident first said to have been a stabbing but later characterized as a fight, with the possible involvement of a weapon still unclear. Called Skvlk Fest, the party drew an estimated 3,000 or more revelers to a residence in the 1300 block of West Potrero Road in Hidden Valley, according to a VCSO news release, with numerous private security personnel and emergency medical technicians on hand.
Simi Valley Acorn · Simi Valley, CA
Nearby: Simi Valley, CACOMING SOON—The above map depicts the site of a newly approved 207-home, 167-acre housing project near the end of First Street and Erringer and Falcon roads. Courtesy City of Simi Valley A 207-home development in Simi Valley’s northern hills won approval Nov. 9 in keeping with the city council’s plans to bring seven unincorporated neighborhoods into city limits. The council voted 4-1 to approve the North Canyon Ranch development, with Councilmember Joseph Ayala dissenting. The decision drew opposition from residents concerned about wildfire danger, environmental impacts, overdevelopment and how annexation could affect their rural way of life, including their ability to keep animals. The 160-acre project proposed by SVJV Partners LLC would include 157 single-family homes, 50 multifamily units and about 70 acres of open space. The site is outside city limits but within Simi Valley’s sphere of influence, near the northern end of First Street and Erringer and Falcon roads.
Simi Valley Acorn · Simi Valley, CA
Nearby: Simi Valley, CAJoseph Ayala Joseph Ayala has taken the lead over Jill Abele in Simi Valley City Council District 1, turning one of the election’s closest races into an even tighter contest as Ventura County continues counting ballots two weeks after the election. Abele held a narrow lead on Election Day, but in the latest results released Nov. 9 by the Ventura County Elections Division, Ayala showed 3,545 votes, or nearly 38%, compared with Abele’s 3,481 votes, or 37%. The margin is just 64 votes. The District 1 race is for the final two years of the council term formerly held by Dee Dee Cavanaugh, who was appointed mayor following the death of Fred Thomas. The 52-year-old Ayala, the director of a multibillion-dollar data analytics company and a university communications professor, was appointed to the council 2025 for the first two years. The District 1 seat will be restored to its regular four-year cycle in 2028.
Simi Valley Acorn · Simi Valley, CA
Nearby: Simi Valley, CATwo Palmdale men were arrested Nov. 3 after allegedly stealing power tools from a Simi Valley Walmart and threatening store employees with a baton before leading police to a nearby gas station, where one man barricaded himself inside a travel trailer. Simi Valley police were called to Walmart at 255 E. Cochran St. at about 7:40 p.m. after a witness reported seeing two men break open a display case and steal several power tools. When loss prevention employees tried to stop the men, they allegedly threatened the employees and displayed a baton before fleeing in a vehicle towing a travel trailer. Officers later found the vehicle at the ARCO gas station at Madera Road and Los Angeles Avenue. One man was taken into custody without incident, while the second refused to leave the trailer and barricaded himself inside. Police temporarily closed nearby roads while officers worked to persuade the man to surrender. He exited the trailer just after 9 p.m. and was arrested.
Simi Valley Acorn · Simi Valley, CA
Nearby: Simi Valley, CACHANGES AHEAD?—Library Director StephanieWronka talks about the improvements made to the Teen Lounge during a grand re-opening ceremony at the Simi Valley Library on Sept. 1. The city could soon have autonomy in making similar additions. MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers Simi Valley is one step closer to owning its public library, a move that could unlock millions of dollars in renovations and give the city greater control over the building it has operated for more than a decade. The City Council voted unanimously Oct. 26 to advance a property exchange with Ventura County, transferring the Simi Valley Public Library to the city and the Ventura County Animal Shelter property on West Los Angeles Avenue to the county. The city would receive the 6.74-acre library property at 2969 Tapo Canyon Road, including the building and parking lot. The county would receive the 2.25-acre shelter property at 670 W. Los Angeles Ave., including its building and an adjacent vacant site.
Simi Valley Acorn · Simi Valley, CA
Nearby: Simi Valley, CAMAKING CHOICES—Voter’s reflection is seen in the window Nov. 3 at Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District headquarters in Simi Valley. MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers Voters in Simi Valley have weighed in on contested races for the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District and Simi Valley Unified School District, with apparent winners holding comfortable leads in the latest returns before press time. RSRPD results There may be plenty of fun and games in the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District, but campaigning for a seat on its board is serious business. After months of campaigning, the results are in. In the race for the district’s Division 2 seat, Dawn Smollen held a sizable lead over challenger Mary Northrup as of press time, with 3,320 votes to Northrup’s 2,452. The 5,772 votes cast in the race gave Smollen a 15-percentage-point advantage. Division 2 covers northeastern Simi Valley, including the Rancho Santa Susana Knolls area.
Simi Valley Acorn · Simi Valley, CA
Nearby: Simi Valley, CANote: This story is based on initial election results available by Nov. 4 for this week’s print deadline. As of Nov. 5, more than 161,115 ballots remained unprocessed, and results could change, according to the county Elections Division. Follow the Simi Valley Acorn on Facebook for the latest results. Updated totals will also appear in our Nov. 14 edition. Longtime councilmember Mike Judge is headed for the mayor’s office, while three newcomers are poised to join the Simi Valley City Council following Tuesday’s election, according to unofficial results released Nov. 4 by the Ventura County Elections Division. Judge, who has served on the council for 16 years, defeated his closest challenger, Kareem Jubran, by 10 percentage points in the citywide race for a two-year term as mayor. Judge, 63, received 42% of the vote, with 12,661 votes, compared with Jubran’s 32%, or 9,600 votes. Current Mayor Dee Dee Cavanaugh received nearly 21%, with 6,246 votes.