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Warm weather escalates rattlesnake season
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The mountains of Conejo Valley have many scenic trails enjoyed by local hikers, bikers and nature enjoyers. Local trails are shared not only by neighbors, but by wild animals who call the trails their home. Rattlesnakes in Thousand Oaks are most active between April and October, and amid recent bites making headlines, the community…
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Thousand Oaks prays, plays and parades for Purim
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As the sun shone bright between tall oak trees lining Hillcrest Drive, the Purim Carnival hosted by Temple Adat Elohim on March 1 was a warm, whimsical celebration of community and perseverance. Children played in bouncy houses, a petting zoo, and a variety of game setups, wearing costumes ranging from classic biblical figures to…
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PawWorks animal shelter saves dogs from a ruff time
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Each and every year, millions of animals are euthanized, streets are filled with endless unhoused animals, an issue Paw Works Animal Shelter works to combat. Paw Works works to save and protect unhoused animals, supporting local shelters fights against animal cruelty. Founded in 2014 by Chad Atkins and Christina Morgan, Paw Works is…
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“Zootopia 2” did not match my vision of utopia
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“Zootopia 2” came out on Nov. 26 and failed to impress me and my 10-year-old sister. The movie’s main theme is that everyone is different, but differences ultimately don’t matter. The two main characters – Judy Hopps, a bunny voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin; and Nick Wilde, a fox voiced by Jason Bateman – work…
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Walnut students learn by caring for chickens
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At Walnut Elementary School, students are not just learning about animals from a textbook, they are helping to raise them. What started as a small classroom project to hatch chicks has grown into a schoolwide effort to bring agriculture and hands-on science to campus. Soon, chickens hatched by fourth and fifth graders last year…
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EARThS science lab fosters engaged learning
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From the jumping spider to the rainbow trout fry, EARThS Magnet Elementary School’s life science lab is crawling with creatures with which students have the opportunity to interact. Taking the bearded dragon on walks is just one of many responsibilities that Juliette Gibson and Stephanie Cipriano-Ceringa took on as life science teachers post-lockdown. “I…
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CDC diagnoses Californian child with bird flu
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] confirmed the diagnosis of the H5N1 bird flu in a Californian child on Nov. 22. The adolescent is an Alameda County resident and the first minor in the nation with a reported case of the avian influenza H5 virus infection. The youth faced mild respiratory symptoms…
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VCAS makes a difference one paw at a time
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One of the busiest times of the year for shelters is after the holiday season, during which many have surprised their loved ones with furry companions. Although some opted to buy and others chose to adopt, adoption fees at Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) have been lowered to accommodate the capacity of the shelter.…
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Holiday adoption destroys animal’s futures
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The holiday season is often synonymous with warmth, joy, and the spirit of giving. Amidst the festivities, one trend that persists each year is the impulsive adoption of pets as surprise gifts. While the gesture may stem from good intentions, the aftermath often paints a bleak picture. Year after year, many well-meaning individuals rush…
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A new animal rights bill has been introduced
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The Dog and Cat Bill were introduced by California Rep. Miguel Santiago on Feb. 11 of this year. iIf passed, Bill 1881 will increase the legal rights of animals. The bill states that animals will be free from exploitation, cruelty, neglect and abuse, daily mental stimulation, appropriate exercise, nutritious food, sanitary water, and shelter…