Westlake Village E Worst 72 Hours

November 15, 2018 e Acorn and THE communities we serve say THANK YOU to our brave AYour Communityco Partner Sincern 1974 rst responders Circulation 29,640 | www.theacornonline.com | Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Oak Park and Westlake Village e worst 72 hours

MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers Cities Landmarks ravaged forever lost  Paramount Ranch, by ame Strauss Ranch, Morrison House  Unrelenting re By Stephanie Bertholdo slams into Oak Park [email protected] and marches south Ruth Gerson, a 40-year resident of Agoura’s Cornell commu- By Ian Bradley nity, watched in horror as a giant [email protected] wall of fl ame marched toward her ranch home on Nov. 9. Firefi ght- Eric and Diane Haupt spent ers saved her property, but next to the night of Nov. 8 in the Agoura hers lies Paramount Ranch, which Hills Library where Diane works, their eyes glued to cellphone vid- — Please See Page 10 eo of a 40-foot inferno consuming the creek that lies just a few yards MORE FIRE from their home in Old Agoura. COVERAGE INSIDE Forced to fl ee, the only lifeline Investigation...... Page 2 RICHARD GILLARD/Acorn Newspapers to their home came in the form Destructive toll...... Page 3 of a front door camera streaming GONE, NOT FORGOTTEN—Marsha Maus, 74, look for pieces of her past as she sifts through the debris at How you can help...... Page 7 — Please See Page 8 the Seminole Springs mobile home park on Nov. 11. Many of the 200 homes were destroyed in the re. Grieving souls search for answers  Funeral service today for deputy lot of ambulances.” In attempting to save lives, Helus, 54, gave his own. Though slain in mass shooting fellow offi cers pulled him from the scene, the 29-year veteran By Christina Cox of the department was pronounced dead a few hours later at [email protected] Los Robles Regional Medical Center from multiple gunshots. “He died a hero,” retired Sheriff Geoff Dean said. Thousands of fi rst responders from across the state A public memorial service will be held today at noon at will be in Westlake Village today to pay their respects to Calvary Community Church, 5495 Via Rocas, Westlake Village. one of their own. Sgt. Ron Helus of the Ventura County Following the memorial, there will be a short procession Sheriff’s Offi ce was mortally wounded last Wednesday as and graveside service at Pierce Brothers Valley Mortuary and he and two California Highway Patrol offi cers attempted Cemetery at 5600 Lindero Canyon Road, according to offi cials. to confront Ian David Long in the fi rst minutes after the Parking will be limited and attendees are encouraged to RICHARD GILLARD/Acorn Newspapers shooting began just after 11:20 p.m. inside Borderline Bar carpool. COMFORT—A candlelight vigil is held Nov. 8 and Grill in Thousand Oaks. Helus was one of 12 people killed after the gunman opened at the T.O. Fred Kavli Theatre in honor of the “We’re making entry,” Helus said over the radio. A few fi re inside the venue during College Country Night. shooting victims. A community mourns. seconds later: “We got multiple people down. We need a — Please See Page 13 Page 2 November 15, 2018 The Acorn SCE power interruption checked as cause of fire By Melissa Simon 2:20 p.m. Nov. 9. The Woolsey [email protected] fire started minutes later, around 2:25 p.m. in the same vicinity. A power station at the Santa Although the firelimited Edi- Susana Field Lab in Simi Val- son workers’ access to the substa- ley reported an interruption just tion, the company said in a report minutes before the Woolsey fire to the California Public Utilities broke out last week, leading some Commission Monday there is no to suspect the outage could have current indication SCE facilities been the cause of the blaze. were the cause of the fire. The field labis a former rocket SCE told The Acorn it is engine and nuclear testing site closely monitoring the Woolsey in the Simi Hills north of Oak and Hill fires and that its crews ParWk. are attempting to gain access The Southern California to various sites to start restor- MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers Edison Chatsworth substation ing power. The cause of the fire CONFLAGRATION—Firefighters battle the Woolsey blaze in Oak Park during the early hours of Nov. 9. recorded the outage just after remains unknown, the company said. “There is no doubt these dev- astating wildfires are impacting all Californians. As a state, we need to focus on addressing climate change impacts, including these severe weather-driven wildfires, prolonged drought conditions and the buildup of hazardous fuels,” SCE said in a statement. “All of these issues impact communities and their critical in- frastructure providers, including utilities. SCE believes the state can do more . . . for the often- tragic consequences of wildfires.” Just last month, the power company accepted partial blame in the 2017 Thomas fire. SCE said in October that its equipment could have been “as- sociated with” the ignition of the Thomas fire, which consumed large swaths of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. In response to a growing state- wide debate over whether utilities should be held financially responsible when their lines cause fires, the company recently introduced a public safety power-shutoff program that stops the flow of electricity to certain areas when weather conditions are conducive to fire. Simi Valley Mayor-elect Keith Mashburn, a retired Ventura County Fire Department battal- ion chief and fire inspector, said Ventura County has won multiple cases against utility companies in the past for fires started by faulty utility equipment. “There are regulations, and they need to be followed (by the utility companies). If they were followed correctly all the time, we would have a much-reduced chance of ignition from the power lines,” Mashburn said. Utility companies are highly regulated. While they are not liable for accidental equipment breakdown, the power companies are responsible to maintain their facilities and could be held liable if they are left unattended, Mash- burn said. He said a fallen power line,

46ATMSC315S one possibly struck by a tree, could have been the cause of the Nov. 9 power interruption at the Simi field lab. “It will take an investigator to determine what failed, and that’s very difficult,” Mashburn said. But it’s too early to know. Sylvie Belmond contributed to this story. Exercise your First Amendment rights! For more information on how to send a letter to the editor of The Acorn, please see page 6 for complete details. The Acorn November 15, 2018 Page 3 WOOLSEY FIRE Devastation complete, recovery begins ARE YOU SELLING YOUR VEHICLE? By Dawn Megli-Thuna guished a large wooden retaining Consign Your Car, SUV or Truck, [email protected] wall. Classic Cars Paid for or Not On Monday night, he was still Welcome! As the ground smoldered and a exhausted and coughing. The We Guarantee the Sale of your small spot fi re burned a few yards Sydney, Australia native said he away, Diane Sears carefully sifted grew up camping in the Outback Vehicle or We’ll Buy it!* through the ruins of her home on and learned at an early age to not (*Subject To Agreed Upon Value) Sherwood Drive in Westlake Vil- be afraid of fi re. “Being an Aussie helped,” he Bring in your vehicle and let us: lage Saturday afternoon. • Family Owned Since 1993 With her family by her side, the said. • Determine the selling value • Best Location in the Conejo Valley • Recondition it for sale 83-year-old inspected the rubble of MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers He said his experience last • Open 7 Days a Week the two-bedroom dwelling she’d BACKBREAKING—Residents ll Friday gave him a new perspec- • Call us for an Appointment lived in for the past eight years. buckets to put out nal hot spots. tive on the hillside brush outside FREE DETAIL There wasn’t much left to salvage his front door. When You Consign Your Vehicle save for some metal lawn furniture times, but there was no help to be “As much as I love the fl ora and a blue and white china mea- found, so he spent the day work- on the hill behind us, I think a (805) 496-3370 | www.AllenMotors.com suring spoon. A broken pitcher and ing with a neighbor to protect the smart move would be to clear that

Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks 20ATMSC08W a wash basin were scorched and homes on his block. He also extin- — Please See Page 5 motors.com 2594 shattered on the ground. As she collected what she could, Sears told The Acorn she didn’t have homeowners’ insurance and was living her son. “That’s life,” she said. “Some- times it takes things away.” 30-YEAR FIXED MORTGAGE Sears’ home was one of 17 destroyed in the Oak Forest neighborhood when the Woolsey fi re torched its way through the Conejo Valley and burned nearly 100,000 acres on its way from the Santa Susana Pass to the Pacifi c Ocean. Oak Forest lies at the southern end of Lindero Canyon Road in Los Angeles County. A mixture of mobile homes and permanent structures resides under a canopy of oak trees. The heavily wooded neighborhood has street names like Robin 5.05 Hood Place, Nottingham Road and Little John Lane, a nod to the Up to $2,000 Off area’s fi lm history. Nearby Lake Sherwood was used as a backdrop in 1922’s “Robin Hood” and 1938’s “The Adventures of Robin Closing Costs Hood.” Residents returned to the on Your Loan once-picture-perfect enclave Saturday afternoon to assess the damage even as fi re crews were — 25-Day Funding Guarantee! — still extinguishing small fl are-ups. Miki Teahan and her husband, Jason, lost their home on Sher- CONFORMING (30-YR FIXED) PURCHASE RATES wood Drive. They evacuated to Pasadena at 2:30 Friday morning. PAYMENT LENDER RATE POINTS APR* Their house was gone by noon. Principal & Interest As they watched the live news coverage from their hotel room, Logix 4.99% 0 5.05% $1,072 Jason told Miki he saw their home burning. Chase 5.25% 0 5.35% $1,104 “I thought he was kidding,” Citibank 5.25% 0 5.37% $1,104 she said. Their two children, ages 2 and APR = Annual Percentage Rate, assumes a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio of 80% conforming loan. Monthly payment estimate does not include taxes, insurance or 11, stayed with relatives while the private mortgage insurance for LTVs greater than 75%; actual payment will be greater. Rates accurate as of 11/13/18 and may change. Closing costs & other couple came to survey the dam- fees apply. Purchase rate comparison provided by Informa Research Services, Inc. Payment based on $200,000 loan. age. Charred baseballs sat in the rubble in the side yard and singed CALL OR VISIT YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD LOGIX BRANCH bathroom fi xtures could be seen through the exposed framing of the former structure, the surface Newbury Park Simi–Cochran St Simi–Tapo Canyon of which had taken on the ap- 1005 Broadbeck Dr. 1855 Cochran Street #108 2944 Tapo Canyon Road, Suite C pearance of alligator skin in the (Across from Starbucks) (In the Vons Shopping Center) (In the Kohl’s Shopping Center) intense heat of the fi re. (877) 944.5328 (888) 738.5328 (877) 974.5328 The couple had lived there for three years. Thousand Oaks Westlake Village Fire resources were spread so 2060 Avenida De Los Arboles, Suite B 2820 Townsgate Rd, Suite 120 thin fi ghting a fi re on two fronts (In the Vons Shopping Center) (In the Gelson’s Shopping Center) that Oak Forest residents pitched in with the effort themselves. 46ATMSC321S (877) 964.5328 (866) 400.5328 Casey Holloway lives on Oldcastle Place. His wife, Caitlin Moss, evacuated Friday with their 2-year-old daughter, Avalon. Moss watched through her Logix Federal Credit Union, proudly serving members since 1937. Ring doorbell as Holloway Up to $2,000 Off Closing Costs Offer. We will reduce your mortgage loan closing costs up to $2,000 on Logix 1st trust deed fixed-rate mortgage loans and 10/1 ARM (Adjustable Rate Mortgage) loans for 1-4 unit residential property purchases on loan amounts to $679,650 and on Logix 1st trust deed 7/1, 5/5, 5/1, 3/1 and 1 Year ARMs for 1-4 unit residential property purchases and refinances regardless of loan amount. This Up to $2,000 Off Closing Costs Offer cleared combustible materials applies only to application, document preparation, processing, underwriting, appraisal, flood certificate, tax registration, credit report, and notary fees as itemized on your Loan Estimate and Loan Closing Statement, and excludes loan from around their property and rate discounts/origination points, taxes, and hazard and private mortgage insurance. This Offer does not apply to no-cost loans, subordinate-lien financing, or home equity lines and loans. This limited time Offer may be discontinued at used a garden hose and watering any time without notice. This Offer valid on loan applications received on or after 8/20/18. Logix 25-Day Loan Closing Guarantee. For 1st mortgage, purchases only, Logix guarantees to close your loan in 25 calendar days unless prohibited by Federal regulation, and provided Logix has received your (1) completed loan application; can to extinguish the fl ames as (2) all requested documents, (3) you have electronically consented @ Logixmortgage.com online mortgage loan application portal at the time of application through loan closing to receive all loan documents and disclosures electronically bushes began to ignite. (Upon request, paper copies available at no additional charge.), and (4) all pre-conditions have been satisfied at least 5 calendar days prior to the scheduled closing date. If all required conditions are met and your loan fails to close on time Holloway said he had friends due to a delay by Logix, you will receive a credit towards closing costs up to $2,000 at loan closing. Logix 25-Day Loan Closing Guarantee may not be combined with other offers, including our $500 Satisfaction Guarantee. Not available on “no cost” loans. Logix membership required. NMLS ID 503781 and neighbors call 911 multiple The Acorn November 15, 2018 Page 5

Recovery Are YouAre Unwilling Your Clients to Sell Unwilling Highly Appreciatedto Sell From Page 3 — PropertyHighly (including Appreciated Primary Property Residence) 50 yards up the hill behind the Because of Capital Gains Taxes? whole community.” The destruction wasn’t limited to Oak Forest. On Whiteside Place in Thou- sand Oaks, not far from the Civ- ic Arts Plaza, 26-year-old Derek Koral returned home Friday to fi nd the place he shares with his mother damaged but standing. His neighbors weren’t so For speci c numbers on tax deferral bene ts: lucky. The home next door, http://mydstplan.com/mmorando which he said belonged to an Join us to fi nd out how the elderly couple, had burned to RICHARD GILLARD/Acorn Newspapers ™ the ground and a small fi re still PARKED—A burned out VW bug is all that remains of this mobile home Deferred Sales Trust burned in the pile of rubble. site at Seminole Springs Park on Mulholland Highway. Off ers fl exibility and provides “It was like a war zone,” a 1031 Exchange Alternative Koral said. A small fi re was burning in the their burning home. The North Ranch area of garage of one of the homes Fri- He was there to salvage what Make plans to attend our FREE Deferred Sales Trust™ Seminar: Westlake was also scorched as day evening, and neighbors used he could from the wreckage. Presented By: Location: Dates: the Woolsey fi re came bearing a garden hose to prevent it from He saved a sign that said “Pop- Michael Morando Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce Tuesday,Tuesday, Nov.July 17, 13, 2018 2018 DST Consultant 600 Hampshire Road OR down. At least fi ve homes on spreading. pie’s Jungle” and a decorative Estate Planning Team Westlake Village, CA 91361 Wednesday,Thursday, August Dec. 12,2, 2018 2018 exclusive Oak Place Drive went The charred remains of an- stone engraved with his in- up in fl ames. other home with a partially laws’ names above the message Presentation:Presentation: 6:00pm5:30pm - 7:00pm7:30pm | Wine Wine && appetizers will be servedserved On Friday afternoon, two off- melted children’s playhouse in “always and forever.” He also ToTo RSVP, RSVP, call call or or email email Michael:Michael: 805-403-6905805-879-4715 || [email protected]@myept.com PleasePlease leave leave your your name, name, phone phone number number andand email address soso wewe can can contact contact you you for for confi con rmation. rmation. duty fi refi ghters used a garden the yard sat at the end of the pulled out a wooden high chair. SeatingSeating is limited. hose to try to stop a fi re burning cul-de-sac. Gavin said he was there to as- Michael Morando is a registered representative of Centaurus Financial, Inc., and a member of the Estate Planning Team. Centaurus Financial, Inc. and the Estate Planning Team are not a liated entities. As an Estate Planning Team member, Michael Morando pro- in the garage of one home from Dan Gavin said his in-laws, sess the damage on his in-laws’ motes the use of the Deferred Sales Trust™ or other estate planning techniques to individuals as an outside business activity which is unrelated to his a liation with Centaurus Financial, Inc. The Estate Planning Team and the Deferred Sales Trust are unrelated to spreading to nearby homes. who had evacuated to Los An- behalf. Centaurus Financial, Inc. and Centaurus Financial, Inc. is not responsible for nor does it endorse recommendations made by members Two homes went up in fl ames geles, witnessed a news crew “They’re not ready to see it of the Estate Planning Team, including the Deferred Sales Trust or other tax, legal or estate planning strategies. 43AT50I on Wembly Avenue in Oak Park. broadcast from the driveway of yet,” he said.

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30849 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Westlake Village 805-262-9283 818-707-0700 425 Haaland Dr. Thousand Oaks, CA 91361 Jenny Jenna www.doctoryanimalhospital.com www.WolfBryant.com Dr. Lina Yetishefsky Individual results may vary. © All rights reserved. 39ATMSC10D The Acorn November 15, 2018 Page 7 How others helped and how you can too Multiple donation sites and GoFundMe accounts have been established online to provide relief for those affected by the recent wildfires. Donors are urged to beware of sham/scam websites and to only contribute on legitimate sites. One credible organization that is leading fundraising efforts for both the Borderline shooting victims and the fire victims is the Ventura County Community Foundation. Visit vccf.org. The California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Relief Fund supports intermediate and long- term recovery efforts for major California wildfires, as well as preparedness efforts: calfund.org/ wildfire-relief-fund. The Red Cross provided both MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers shelter and emotional support THROUGH THE ASHES—Tiffany Millasich extinguishes a flare-up in for evacuees: redcross.org. Text Thousand Oaks. As the cleanup begins, victims have resources to help. REDCROSS to 90999 to make an automatic $10 donation. westernusa.salvationarmy.org. Those with losses will be eligi- Direct Relief gave breath- Going forward, many local ble to apply for Federal Emergency ing masks, medicine and other businesses are reaching out to help Management Agency (FEMA) resources to healthcare agen- victims and thank firefighters. Vin- disaster relief to help in their recov- 37AT38D cies and first responders in tage Grocers at The Promenade ery. Individuals and businesses af- wildfire-affected communities shopping center in Thousand fected by the fires could be eligible THE www.theacornonline.com across California: directrelief.org/ Oaks is offering free turkeys this to receive support for temporary Acorn emergency/california-wildfires. Thanksgiving to the area’s first housing, home-repair and damage The Salvation Army served responders. to essential household items. meals in churches, fairgrounds Meanwhile, federal funds Visit disasterassistance.gov to and at a community college to were approved Nov. 12 for the apply. those affected by the wildfires: fire victims. —Acorn staff report Our Sympathies commentary /// My old home was lost surrounded by dense old-growth chaparral and highly vulnerable By Gloria Glasser decades made it a daunting foe. to the risk of fiery annihilation to the Victims Special to The Acorn Despite being rimmed by thick triggered by crashes caused by and Families of smoke on Friday from the emerg- speeding vehicles that regularly It is Saturday morning, Nov. ing Hill fire and having fixed-wing race over Mulholland Highway’s the Borderline 10, and a multicolored smoke planes and tankers soaring cease- treacherous curves. plume builds like a thunderhead lessly overhead only to plunge Our miraculous run of good Tragedy. above Boney Mountain in New- dramatically down ridges merely fortune finally ran out. The wild- bury Park. across the street, we had not had fire’s destruction was as hor- It soars vertically, reflecting to evacuate. rendous as it was inescapably prismatic colors, a sight at once The flames werenot close; the inevitable, despite the fact that we commanding our awe and renew- errant ember risk was in the fore- trimmed our trees, cleared brush, ing our trepidation. front of our minds, but the wind attended fire-safety workshops. The morning had dawned direction was in our favor. When And we’d long taken comfort in clear, bright and windless. We’d Saturday dawned so docilely in knowing a fire station was only a watched phoebes and sparrows our corner of Newbury Park, we few minutes away from us and the taking turns frolicking in the went so far as to allow ourselves to crew knew our community well. birdbath, a squirrel examining a believe here was a respite, or con- But chaos interceded. Mul- peanut, a rabbit scooting across clusion, to these roaring infernos. tiple fires raging simultaneously, the deck just ahead of the curious Then, as this enormous, churn- winds full of fury and fire disas- dog. Life seemed calm until this ing mass of chameleon cloud rose ters elsewhere in the state de- sudden, silent eruption of smoke above Boney Mountain on Satur- pleted the resources to protect one began issuing in voluptuous coils day morning, mesmerizing us with serene, secluded community of above the mountain that only its “terrifying beauty,” as a friend about 200 mobile homes tucked yesterday was shrouded in dark described it, the phone rang. in the mountains. A family park, masses of wind-driven, ocean- It was one of my dear friends home to all ages, from newborns bound fleecy tendrils of smoke. from Seminole Springs, a mobile to nonagenarians. It reminded us that no quick home community in the Santa “Is my home still there?” end was in sight, that this was a Monica Mountains of rural Agoura, I told my friend that as soon as tenacious fire and that the combi- where I had previously lived for 23 I could, I would check, and I told As we support one another during this nation of vigorous winds and areas years. She was calling from the San her to not lose hope, maybe we’d difficult time, we take comfort in the of chaparral that had not burned in Fernando Valley, where she had been the victims of misinforma- fled upon receiving a robocall to tion or rumors. compassion and courage demonstrated by evacuate in the middle of the night. And after I closed the phone, “GG, I need to ask you a ques- I brooded for hours, knowing the our community in the wake of this tragic Letters tion, please,” she said in a plaintive flames had won, and her home— From Page 6— voice. “Is my home still there?” as with so many others, at Semi- event. We thank local law enforcement and And I peered around at our nole Springs, in Oak Park, Agoura first responders for their tremendous bravery de Toledo Jewish high school sunny skies and splish-splashing Hills, Westlake Village, Thousand in West Hills. birds and heedless bunnies and Oaks and elsewhere—was not and sacrifice to prevent the further loss Mushka believes that squirrels and dogs, and at the still there. everyone will come out of neighbors’ beautiful white roses What is there left to take com- of innocent lives. this stronger. She said it put and pink geraniums, and could fort in? That we are not alone, everything into perspective, only gasp and choke up. I wanted we do not ache alone, there is a especially for the teens. What to play dumb, to lie, to evade, to world of compassion to gain suc- may have been their biggest give her false hope. But I already cor from, because so many of us concern last week is not that knew, had learned the evening be- have lost so much that caring for significant anymore. Life is fore, of the immense sorrow that and supporting each other during so precious and fragile. They had engulfed Seminole Springs. such stressful times will provide are all so thankful for having I’d always believed when I a measure of peace and hope. their life, family, homes and lived there that somehow we were Try to dig deep beyond the for being in a position to help all invincible. When I moved ashes and despair, and don’t ever those less fortunate. there in 1994, I was told there’d give up. Rabbi Yitzchak Sapoch- been no fire that had touched Glasser is a freelance writer PremierAmerica.com kinsky us since 1978. This was a phe- and local nature enthusiast. Reach Chabad of Westlake Village nomenal run of luck in an area her at [email protected]. 46ATMS62I Page 8 November 15, 2018 The Acorn

than 80 of its 200 coaches, and to the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts popping up all across Agoura Woolsey Oak Forest Estates in Westlake Plaza for a candlelight vigil for Hills, which lost seven homes in Village, which reportedly lost 17 the victims of the shooting, they all. Flames licked the doorstep From Page 1 — of its 180 mobile homes. were greeted by howling winds, of Agoura High School, but the video to Eric’s phone. More than 100 homes caught the same force that within 10 campus was spared. “We knew as long as the video fi re in Oak Park and North Ranch, hours had pushed the Woolsey fi re Chief Mark Lorenzen of the was transmitting, our house was which was also the target of at- across the 101 Freeway at Liberty Ventura County Fire Department still standing,” Eric Haupt said. tempted looting, police said. Canyon in Agoura Hills and deep warned that situations like these “Our guardian angel was watch- Nightmare begins into Malibu. have become the new normal for ing over us.” Residents woke Nov. 8 to the As the Hill fi re raced across California. The Haupts’ story is just one news that a gunman had taken the 101 Freeway and headed “Things are not the way they of thousands from the most de- 12 lives at Borderline Bar and toward the coast, fi rst responders were 10 years ago. If you look structive fire in Conejo Valley Grill in Thousand Oaks. But were forced to close the freeway at the fi res in Napa (Valley) last history, which, as of Wednesday, around 2 p.m., before the public at Camarillo Springs and begin year, the Thomas fire, the fire had destroyed 480 homes from could even learn the victims’ evacuations. By early evening, a in Butte County right now, and Bell Canyon to Newbury Park to names, there were reports of “leave now” order was in place this fi re . . . the rate of spread is JOHN LOESING/Acorn Newspapers Malibu, a fi gure that could still a fire near Hill Canyon in the for a large swath of homes from exponentially more than it used TURN AROUND—The Woolsey grow as recovery efforts continue. Santa Rosa Valley. An hour later, Bell Canyon to the Ventura Coun- to be,” Lorenzen said. re destroyed the Chesebro bridge Among the hardest hit in the smoke was rising to the north and ty line affected by the Woolsey Offi cials became increasingly in Old Agoura. It is impassable. burn area were two mobile home word spread of a separate fi re in fi re. concerned about residents who parks: Seminole Springs, south Woolsey Canyon in Simi Valley. Without the luxury of air sup- ignored the mandatory evacua- residents were also forced to fl ee of Agoura Hills, which lost more As hundreds made their way port—the 40 mph winds made tions. parts of Simi Valley and Thou- helicopter drops impossible and “Please heed evacuation warn- sand Oaks. The Woolsey fire EYELASH EXTENSIONS fi xed-wing aircraft never fl y at ings; do not stay in your homes to burned almost 98,000 acres. night—fi refi ghters were forced try to protect them. Leave that to Many of those who did leave SKIN ESSENTIALS to keep boots on the ground. us; do not put your lives at risk. sheltered in evacuation centers in By 2 a.m. Nov. 9, Wool- We want to be able to go in and Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks by Wen sey flames had arrived in the protect your homes. We do not and Pierce College in Woodland Waxing • Lashes • Brows Lang Ranch neighborhood be- want to have to go in to protect Hills. T.O made use of the Alex Book online fore quickly moving through lives, but we will. When we ask Fiore Teen Center that only hours $150 Service for $75 Westlake and heading toward you to leave, please leave.” earlier had been designated a 5015 Cornell Rd., Ste E, Agoura Hills Thousand Oaks Boulevard, where At their peak, the fi res dis- gathering place for families of the it destroyed multiple homes both placed an estimated 250,000 Borderline shooting victims.

45A05W (SIN-ER-JEE Salon) north and south of Hillcrest Drive. people. From Bell Canyon to As the night wore on, confu- skinessentialsbywen.com | 818-919-8774 At the same time, fires were Camarillo, Oak Park to Malibu. sion reigned as to when residents

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Take Your Photo with Santa this Nov. 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25 46ATMSC56T REAGANLIBRARY.COM/LIGHTS 40 Presidential Dr., Simi Valley, CA 93065 • 800.410.8354 • ReaganLibrary.com 37ATMSC51R The Acorn November 15, 2018 Page 9 in the line of fi re should leave and where they should go to. “Unfortunately, (we were) hampered by people that have not evacuated. When we have to confront those situations, it takes away from our fi refi ghters’ ability to protect structures and put up containment,” Chief Daryl Osby of the Los Angeles County Fire Department said. Lives lost In addition to untold millions in property damage, the Woolsey and Hill fi res claimed three lives. On Nov. 9 a man and a woman were found dead inside a burned- out vehicle in the 33000 block of Mulholland Drive in unincorpo- rated L.A. County. Though law enforcement has yet to identify the victims, a source with knowledge of the Courtesy of Steve Geldman deaths said the deceased are an RED MENACE—Fire retardant dropped from the sky proved critical. Oak Park man and his mother, killed when their car was over- Sherwood offered up their water to and west of Corral Canyon. come by fl ames in Decker Can- thirsty fi re department helicopters. The lessons learned are many yon as they tried to escape. And while customers of the as residents still try to fathom what The man, his wife and their Calleguas and Las Virgenes water is now known as the worst fi re in 46ATMSC319S two sons had evacuated Oak Park districts were told to expect fl uctu- Conejo/Las Virgenes history. the night before and stayed at the ations in water pressure due to the “You prepare for the worst and grandmother’s house off Mulhol- fi res, only LVMWD issued a boil hope for the best,” evacuee Eric land Highway near Malibu, the warning for its residents east of Haupt said. source said. On Friday, when the the Ventura County line, south of Kyle Jorrey and Dawn Megli- ADVERTISE WITH US fi re changed directions and headed Westlake Village, north of Malibu ASSISTEDThuna contributed to LIVING this article. | CallMEMORY now to reserve CARE your spot! 818-706-0266 for the beach, the entire family left in three cars—dad and grandmother in one, mom in another, and the ASSISTED LIVING | MEMORY CARE two sons in the fi nal vehicle—to evacuate back to Oak Park. The bodies were discovered in a residential driveway. According to another source, the man and his mother, disoriented by thick smoke and rising fl ames, were following a fire truck to what they thought was safety; instead, the engine took them to a private residence. By the time they real- ized their mistake and tried to turn around, their car was engulfed in fl ames, the source said. The wife and sons both survived, the former suffering burns and one of the latter, smoke inha- lation. On Nov. 14 another body was found inside a burned home at the 32000 block of Lobo Canyon Road in Agoura Hills. No serious injuries were reported among the more than 3,590 fi refi ghters who battled the two fi res, many of whom remained on the front lines for several days in a row. Called into service were Community 619 engines, 22 helicopters, 23 OPENING bulldozers and several fi xed-wing planes provided by CalFire. Internet, cable down NowSPRING Open 2018 Residents worried about the safety of their homes were left out of touch after Spectrum internet For Tours and cable cut out on Friday evening, affecting customers from Simi Valley to Oxnard. The cause of the outage, ac- Sage Mountain will offer Assisted cording to Spectrum: the Woolsey Sage Mountain will offer Assisted fi re had destroyed a major fi ber- LivingLiving and and Memory Memory Care Care services services in 3499 GRANDE VISTA DRIVE optic cable. Service was restored in a brand-new, thriving by Saturday night. a brand-new, thriving community that THOUSAND OAKS, CA 91320 There were other complica- community that provides residents tions as well. provideswith 24-hour residents care with and 24-hour support care 805.214.1594 Southern California Edi- son power lines went down at andcomplemented support complemented by an active, by an SAGEMOUNTAINSENIORLIVING.COM License #565802462 5:45 p.m. Friday leaving 23,000 active,engaging engaging lifestyle. lifestyle. people without power, mostly in ADA Los Angeles County. By Nov. 14, electricity was still down for 9,000 SCE customers, some of whom live in Thousand Oaks. Students in the Conejo Valley NOT JUST ANOTHER COMMUNITY and Las Virgenes school districts Sage Mountain Now Open For Tours, Stop By Today were told not to return to class Sales Office Now Open! License #: 565802462 until Nov. 26 after the Thanksgiv- And Experience What Sets Us Apart From The Rest ing break. License #: 565802462 Area lakes including Lake Lindero, Westlake Lake and Lake 46A46I Page 10 November 15, 2018 The Acorn

WOMEN HOLD MORE THAN HALF OF THE NATION’S WEALTH IN THEIR HANDS.

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Laurie J. Brennan, CFP®, CDFA® Financial Planning Consultant 3027 Townsgate Road, Suite 100 Westlake Village CA 91361 805-373-5699 RICHARD GILLARD/Acorn Newspapers [email protected] // www.OaksWealthPartners.com ©2018 Raymond James & Associates, Inc., member New York Stock Exchange/SIPC. ALL THAT REMAINS—The Western town at Paramount Ranch, the scene of many movies and television Raymond James® is a registered trademark of Raymond James Financial, Inc. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP Logo Flame Design and CFP Logo Plaque Design in the U.S., which it awards to shows, was reduced mostly to rubble. There’s a report that a major studio has o ered to rebuild the site. individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.

45AT32I “American Sniper” at the loca- bought in the early 1900s by tion. Harry Miller, a man known for Landmarks The National Park Service building race car engines used From Page 1 — Full Service Salon bought portions of the ranch in in the Indianapolis 500. He used Hair • Makeup was destroyed in the Woolsey fi re. 1980 and restored the sets based the ranch as a retreat from his The 2,700-acre ranch, includ- on photos taken in the 1950s. Los Angeles-based auto business. Nails • Facials ing its popular Western town— The Santa Monica Mountains Rooney wrote in his book that the setting for many movies and National Recreation Area an- Miller also built the “look-out television shows—was reduced nounced Nov. 9 that the structures tower” and aviary on the prem- 20% to rubble. Only the little chapel on the Western set had been de- ises. often seen in the popular TV stroyed by the fi re. “During the big band era of OFF series “Dr. Quinn, Medicine “It is our understanding that the 1930s, Miller hosted grand- Woman” survived. the structures have burned. This scale parties every Friday night, The Woolsey fi re did not dis- area is an active part of the inci- which were attended by socialites NEW criminate, and other structures dent and we cannot access it,” the and celebrities,” Rooney said. “A CLIENTS in the Santa Monica Mountains park service said in a statement. radio show was broadcast directly with Feri suffered a similar fate. To help with the recovery, from the 50-by-70-foot dance and Shalva Paramount Ranch rebuilt? Gerson has been putting bales of fl oor.” Owned today by the National hay out for displaced deer looking Miller fell into fi nancial ruin Park Service, Paramount Ranch for food. She doesn’t know what due to the Depression and busi- was home to movie magic for will come next, but for now she ness decisions that never panned over 90 years, beginning with is counting her blessings. out. silent fi lms and continuing with “I’m very grateful, very The ranch was revived in the FREE CONSULTATION “talkies,” Technicolor produc- blessed and very lucky,” she said. 1930s when Warren Shobert and Haircut-Blow Dry-Up Do tions and many television shows Local historian Brian Rooney, Arthur Edeson, Malibou Lake Highlights - Color-Ombre author of the book “Three Magi- residents, bought the property Hair extensions-Facials - Waxing and movies well into the 2000s. Manixure-Pedicure-Make up In the 1950s the Western town cal Miles,” said the National Park and transformed it into the Lake provided a backdrop for decades Service informed him that HBO Enchanto resort. 818.889.6800 of movies and TV programs, in- has offered to pay for the recon- In the 1940s, a “mammoth 30833 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Westlake Village cluding “The Cisco Kid,” “The struction of the Western town in pool was built,” Rooney said. (In New TJMAX Shopping Center) OPEN TUESDAY thru SATURDAY Rough Riders” and “Gunsmoke.” Paramount Ranch. No further “The largest on the West Coast at STATION RENTALS AVAILABLE 46A23D The 1981 horror fi lm “Scream” details are available. the time, it held 650,000 gallons salonsantori.com was filmed at Paramount. The Peter Strauss Ranch of water and could accommodate long-running series “M.A.S.H.” Historic Peter Strauss Ranch up to 3,000 people.” THE was also fi lmed there, and Clint also felt the fi re’s wrath. A 250-foot circular amphithe- Acorn To Advertise Call (818) 706-0266 Eastwood produced 2014’s The 65-acre property was ater was also constructed at the time. Actor Peter Strauss lived on You are Invited to join us for our the ranch from 1976 to 1983 after fi lming the miniseries “Rich Man, Poor Man” at Malibou Lake. The National Park Service purchased the ranch in 1987. It Christmas CRAFT FAIR has been used for hiking, picnics, concerts and art exhibits Sunday, November 18 • 11:30 AM - 4PM The Woolsey fi re may have burned down the house and other Unity of the Oaks Church, 2786 Crescent Way, Thousand Oaks structures on the land, but the charred amphitheater and pool Thanksgiving Hostess Gift s Vintage Items & Designer Jewelry survived the inferno. Morrison Ranch House Home Made Craft s & Art Aromatherapy Oils & Soaps Carolyn Trocino, a 15-year Christmas Gift s & Much More! Old Agoura resident who lost her shed in the fi re, is heartbroken We sti ll have space for Vendors! over the loss of the original Mor- rison House that survived for over Bring your booth • Full Table • Half Table 100 years in Cheeseboro Canyon. Call Gregory or Janet at 805-496-6901 for Morrison House was origi- nally the home of John Morrison, more informati on and to reserve your spot! who, with his brother Alonzo, operated the Agoura Cattle Ranch in 1896. John Morrison died in 1934, Trocino said. Eventually portions of the land were bought by the state of California, and the house was used for fi lm shoots in the 1930s 46AT314S and 1940s. It also served as a The Acorn November 15, 2018 Page 11

Courtesy photo MEMORY—National Park Service employee Thomas Lemmer, left, and Old Agoura resident Carolyn Trocino were part of a team who once built a fence to protect the Morrison Ranch House, behind them. Left, a pair of horseback riders survey the home, where all that’s left today is a sign. Litefly I.T. | Computer Repair Litefly Solves Computer and Network ISSUES FOR HOME AND BUSINESS Courtesy of Niel Angel residence for park rangers. It had operated Calamigos Ranch off Gerson said her son’s three- PC and Mac “I’ll repair all been operated and maintained by Latigo Canyon Road in Malibu bedroom home that sits on the • Virus Removal your computer the National Park Service’s Santa since 1947. property burned down, and that • Network Installation issues and remove viruses Monica Mountains National Rec- The ranch was initially a boys’ a cabin and an out-building also • Free estimates camp but later become an event were destroyed, but the main affordably and reation Area. • On site service quickly!” Over the years, the house had venue for corporate picnics, wed- venue and its restaurant, Malibu www.litefly.com 818-515-3691 [email protected] fallen into disrepair and was peri- dings and other festivities. Cafe, survived. 24AT48T odically vandalized. While riding her horse in the meadow in 2012, Trocino noticed that the home had been defi led by graffi ti. Life Tastes Better at Gelson’s “It needed citizen protection,” she said. Trocino volunteered for NPS and regularly reported vandalism at the house. “Every holiday weekend, if there was an incident I called it in,” she said. “I became a citizen Serving watchdog (for the house).” Suggestion The destruction of the home was heart-wrenching for Trocino, but she plans to keep the memory of the house alive on her Face- book page. “The sign is still there, but the Always Fresh, house is gone,” she said. Ruth Taylor Kilday, an Oak Park resident who has worked Never Frozen! with the National Park Service, “Carve” out some time this Mountains Recreation and Con- Thanksgiving season to discover servation Authority and the Santa SAVE UP TO Gelson’s Meat Department, starting Monica Mountains Conservancy, said she was “devastated” to see with the fi nest turkeys anywhere. so much local history destroyed. $10.00 Both Gelson’s and Diestel turkeys “Those places provided evi- are raised with care by family owned dence of our culture, our roots and ON FRESH TURKEYS turkey growers. Each have their own our future. Paramount Ranch, Pe- unique methods for raising range fed, ter Strauss Ranch/Lake Enchanto, antibiotic-free turkeys in the Reagan Ranch, Morrison Ranch best possible conditions. and more—gone,” she said. “So while the buildings are gone, the land is still there, and in the spring, grass and wildfl ow- ers will abound and birds will return,” Kilday told The Acorn. A Fresh Gelson’s Finest or “The impacts of fi re will al- Diestel Turkey Purchase ways be part of our history.” $5 Off Less than 20 lbs in weight What remains Several mountain stalwarts Excludes Service Deli Turkey and Dinners. Offer valid at all Gelson’s locations. No cash managed to survive the fi res, in- back. No reproductions accepted. Coupon cluding the notorious Rock Store must be surrendered when tendered. motorcycle hangout on Mulhol- Expires 11/25/18 PLU#8149 land Highway in Cornell. Experience the gelsons.com visit gelsons.com for details. The Old Place Restaurant, a Mulholland Highway steakhouse that was operated by Tom Runyon Gelson’s from 1937 until his death in 2009, also was spared. The restaurant is A Fresh Gelson’s Finest or now operated by Runyon’s wife, Difference Diestel Turkey Purchase Barbara, and their son, Morgan. Greater than 20 lbs in weight King Gillette Ranch in rural $10 Off Calabasas, Malibou Lake Club- Gelson’s Calabasas Excludes Service Deli Turkey and Dinners. house in Malibou Lake and Nep- Offer valid at all Gelson’s locations. No cash 22277 Mulholland Hwy back. No reproductions accepted. Coupon tune’s Net restaurant on Pacifi c Calabasas, CA 91302 must be surrendered when tendered. Coast Highway made it through (818) 906-6229 Expires 11/25/18 PLU#8148 as well. gelsons.com visit gelsons.com for details. Ruth Gerson and her husband, Grant Gerson, who died in December 2012, owned and 46A32D