LadyIsREAL

Target's bid to build on Kmart site OK'd

Hmmm... Good question... One I've asked many times as well. Those in development aren't really interested in 'babysitting teenagers' as they say, so they don't develop properties or ideas geared toward this segment of our population. It is the old adage - if it ain't profitable, it isn't done. I'm thankful Regal Cinema stepped up and built their theatre because it is at least something for our youth to enjoy! (Thursday Aug 14 | post #2)

Retired cop on a quest to make Simi Valley gang-proof

Each section of Simi has a neighborhood council - you can call the city and get yourself on the list for your section's neighborhood council. Meetings are held once a month and focus primarily on issues that affect YOUR neighborhood inside of Simi. The Police Chief Mike Lewis should also be able to help you get in touch with him, and there was an article in the Acorn from last week about this as well. I'd also try Glen Becerra (think his email addy is listed in his biography at the city's website for he's a council member)... Glen was mentioned in the news article as well. Why does it matter if you know the gang's name, BTW? What does that information serve? Just curious... (Thursday Aug 14 | post #10)

But isn't this the difference between civilization and the age of the cave man? If someone kills a person because their brakes failed, you are saying we should put them in front of another car and allow it to kill them? What happens to the doctor who has done everything in their power to save a patient, but the patient dies? Should the doctor be put to death? When a child hits another child on a playground, the child hit should be allowed to hit back? An eye for an eye worked in Biblical times, but no longer in civilized societies. That's not progress - that's chaos. (Saturday Aug 9 | post #28)

Simi residents bewail 300-year-old oak

We import cheap products from China with the "Simi Valley" words... Instead of using this beautiful resource to become our words and pride in our community... This wood could be made into items that would become heirlooms for our community residents... Instead it will head to the chipper like the rest of the debris... Sad commentary on our society and world... (Saturday Aug 9 | post #1)

Simi store is among 600 Starbucks set to close

This actual location was at the other end of this mall... It was an odd location - sorta/kinda tucked in behing others as an after thought. It always was a problem over there to get parking and I myself wondered how well it would do when it opened. It seems the best Starbucks locations are the ones with chairs and tables right in front of them. Although this one did have that, you were somewhat isolated tucked back into almost an alleyway and it didn't seem really secure at night to me. JMHO (Saturday Aug 9 | post #5)

Amgen's help now problem for some

Did you read this in the news or you know this personally? Just curious... (Saturday Aug 9 | post #2)

Whether we agree or disagree with a person's sexual preferences is not the basis for protection or punishment under this country's laws. Gay people are not awarded "mulligans " in society (even today) but because the laws and society do not actively protect them, many prefer to live their life in solitary venues. At one time in this country we viewed the mentally challenged individuals as 'less than' and accordingly, did not recognize they have as much in the rights department as any other citizen. Because you yourself cannot come to the enlightenment of accepting differences in others, that does not give you the 'mulligan' to be abusive towards others in comments and opinions. We've gotten off the topic here, so I'm bringing it back... a teenager is being tried as an adult when he does not have the physical abilities as an adult - reasoning, judgment, etc. How do we solve this problem? (Saturday Aug 9 | post #25)

Did you feel today's quake?

I've been here for 10+ years and this was the first quake I've actually 'experienced' for previously, I was either moving, driving or asleep when they happened. Where were you when it happened? (Jul 29, 2008 | post #1)

Some of the worst behaved teens can come from the most devoted parents. Because you provide the skills, support network and discipline along with love, does not insure your child will become the model citizen during this time period in their life. Clearly the research studies indicate that... it's like faulting someone who, having diabetes, can't control the sugar levels 100% of the time. We only have so much control over the human body, despite all the options and resources availableI'm not saying either young adult had the best or worst parents, nor the proper environment to grow up in. But there is a 'cattle drive' to exploit childhood environments in relationship to any wrong doings. Many people have had bad childhoods and grew up to, in fact, 'break the cycle' or use it as an example of what NOT to do when faced with these decisions. Science has not yet gotten to the point where they can isolate minute triggers and environments to predict which young adult will take which pathway when presented with a myriad of choices. It has only reached the point (now) that we know the front part of the brain that governs many of these impulse-control decisions has not yet fully developed until someone is between the ages of 23 and 25. If you want to charge this same age group as someone who has a fully-developed brain section, then you can't allow the circumstances legally at the same time. It's the same as putting heroin in front of a known addict and then expecting them to NOT attempt to use it, ya know? (Jul 28, 2008 | post #13)

We have a much greater problem to address now that this tragic event is being highlighted by the news media... that of the scientific evidence available now being used to try and convict teens as adults. There was another Ventura County case involving a killing several years ago, and scientific evidence was introduced which allowed the killer to receive a much lighter sentence - see http://scienceline .org/2008/7/23-pol icy-soltis-teenbra in/ for further details. Trying teens as adults might be one thing, but it opens up a whole new ball of wax - if we can try a teen as an adult despite the prefrontal cortex not being full developed until the age of 23 to 25, then we have to ask ourselves as a society why our laws give rights and privileges to people prior to the full development of this part of the brain. The particular area of the brain manages reasoning, impulse control and judgment... and yet? We give most of the rights of adults to young people once they turn 18 - 5 years prior to the time they have the full capacity to understand the full ramifications of the rights they have been given. Scary thought, huh? The right to drink in many states, full legal rights in regards to contracts, credit, etc... the right to vote which determines the pathway of this country in every presidential election for at least 4 years, if not 8 --- and yet we know (now) scientifically, the brain is not fully developed in regards to reasoning and judgment during this time. So if you want to try a teen based upon his incapability to manage impulse control, then you must address all the other areas of society that the 18 - to 25-year olds provide major impact on in our communities, society and our country in general. The greatest purchasing power lies in the hands of this same age group - changing the rules to allow teens to be tried as adults - means you need to be aware of the economy which hinges on this same age group, which is also the majority of this country's all volunteer military force. You can't have one aspect of the problem tweaked and not resolve the whole issue... make the punishment one of an adult, we need to change our laws to address scientific research that has proven this period of life sets up emotionally-driven behavior that can be erratic and dramatically affects everyone by their votes, dollars, actions and opinions. (Jul 27, 2008 | post #10)

Simi store is among 600 Starbucks set to close

There's also a grassroots movement afoot about this issue as well - here's that link: http://calebandsar rahdillon.blogspot .com/2008/07/save- coffee-make-coffee -not-war.html (Jul 23, 2008 | post #3)

Simi store is among 600 Starbucks set to close

You need to click on the news link to the right for details on these news stories - but here it is regardless: http://www.ventura countystar.com/new s/2008/jul/19/fewe r-starbucks/ (Jul 23, 2008 | post #2)

Retired cop on a quest to make Simi Valley gang-proof

Sounds like 'sour grapes' from some personal experiences, Mike... But then again, you need even them to make wine! Stereotypes such as avoiding tickets due to bribes went out of fashion back in 'old Chicago' when the gangsters ran that city. Have a great one and if you don't, then don't pass it onto someone else! (Jul 23, 2008 | post #8)

Free concert - Sat., July 19th

"Such A Lovely Place" - Free Music in the Park Concert, Hotel California, Eagles tribute. 6PM, Rancho Simi Community Park, 1765 Royal Ave., Simi Valley. Free admission. Bring a blanket or low chair for lawn seating. See http"//www.rs rpd.org for further details. (Jul 17, 2008 | post #1)