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Slice of Life: Christmas confuses me: learning not to be the Grinch
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From the moment Halloween ends and we turn our calendars to November, my neighborhood is decked out with twinkling red and green string lights and pine wreaths. Christmas meets Thousand Oaks as quickly as gossip meets my bubby and as enthusiastically as Manischewitz wine meets a 13-year-old on his Bar Mitzvah day. Being Jewish…
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AVID provides support for college-bound students
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The Advanced Via Individual Determination [AVID] program has helped countless first-generation college-bound students in the Conejo Valley School District. AVID’s goal as a program is to increase academic readiness for undersupported or underdirected students and prepare them for their college and career lives as they work through high school. AVID has been implemented in…
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Springsteen’s biopic is more than a rock and roll story
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In the new biopic, “Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere,” Jeremy Allen White, award-winning actor known for his performance on “The Bear,” plays iconic musician Bruce Springsteen. Bruce Springsteen is notable for his many hits such as “Born In the U.S.A” and “Dancing In the Dark.” White impressively sang all of the songs himself, proving…
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Politics has turned into reality TV
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Workplaces and school settings have an expectation of professionalism, respect and decorum. One would think that this would carry into the political sphere, especially with our current administration constantly preaching a new wave of “common sense.” However, it seems that civility has been thrown out the window and replaced with incompetence and hypocrisy. What…
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Thousand Oaks community finds joy in the game of pickleball
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Once seen as a sport for grandparents, pickleball is now everywhere across America. Teens fill local courts with the sound of laughter. What used to be an old pastime has become a way for many communities to come together. The game, created in 1965 by Congressman Joel Pritchard and Bill Bell, was made to…
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Falling in love with seasonal snacks
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November is truly one of the most breathtaking months as winter creeps in, and fall slowly comes to an end. As Trader Joe’s is famously affordable and privately labeled, there is immense popularity among their seasonal foods–especially the hospitable and warm fall flavors. I wanted to focus my tastebuds on cozy flavors and foods…
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“Die my Love” bored me to death
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Walking into the theater, I was genuinely excited. I am a huge fan of both Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson, and because Pattinson was attached, I expected something indie, strange, maybe even original— perhaps similar to “The Lighthouse” or “Good Time.” What I didn’t expect was a film that was simultaneously jarring and mind-numbingly…
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Gymnasts stick the landing on and off the mat
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With deep breaths in and out and arms outstretched, a gymnast must maintain strong focus to perfect their smooth and often dangerous routine. As mental strength is the key to executing a good routine, a gymnast must maintain perfect balance both on the beam and in life. As a gymnast at Victory Gymnastics Academy…
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World News in Brief
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Democrats dominate key state elections in 2025 During the state and local elections, many candidates led to marked results in many of the 2025 state and local elections. In Virginia, Abigail Spanberger was elected governor, marking a shift in the office to the Democratic Party and making her the state’s first female governor. Mikie…
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NPHS rock climbers scale new heights
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Whether it is by scaling a mountainside rock face or conquering an indoor boulder route, NPHS’ rock climbers work to improve their technique in this unique, collaborative sport. A diverse sport, styles of rock climbing vary based on the height of the rock wall as well as the techniques and equipment used. Top roping…