COMMUNITY NEWS LOCAL STUDENT ATTENDS D.C. CONFERENCE.

SYLMAR - Fabian Mendoza, 11, of Sylmar this past week joined 200 middle school students from throughout the United States at the Junior National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C.

With a theme of ``The Legacy of American Leadership,'' the conference introduced young people to the tradition of leadership throughout American history, while helping them develop their own leadership skills.

In addition to examining notable U.S. leaders and historic figures, Fabian studied the impact of leadership in critical periods of American history, including the Civil War, World War II and the Great Depression.

Fabian, 11, who attends St. Ferdinand School in San Fernando, also was scheduled to visit colonial Williamsburg and national historic landmarks.

THOUSAND OAKS - The Sisters of Notre Dame were scheduled to break ground today on the Notre Dame Learning Center, a preschool and day care center in Thousand Oaks.

The new preschool, funded by donations and scheduled to open in 2005, will be located at 1776 Hendrix Ave., next to La Reina High School.

The sisters currently serve in 16 countries, with their ministry focusing on education in schools and parishes. They have served throughout Southern California for 80 years, and in Thousand Oaks for more than 40 years.

NORTHRIDGE - Julie A. Dercle, assistant professor in the department of Urban Studies and Planning at California State University, Northridge, has been appointed to the Pasadena Historic Preservation Commission.

Dercle represents about 1,000 households in Pasadena's Bungalow Heaven historic district, where she serves on the neighborhood association's board.

``I am thrilled to help maintain the quality of life of Bungalow Heaven,'' Dercle said.

As a member of the commission through June 2007, Dercle will work to protect the architectural integrity and unity of the community.

THOUSAND OAKS - California Lutheran University has received a $5,000 grant from the California Council for the Humanities to tell modern-day stories of the coastal Chumash Indians.

The matching grant is part of the council's California Story Fund, which provides money to support public humanities projects to tell the stories of the state's diverse communities.

The CLU project will focus on Chumash Indians talking about their culture and heritage. The interviews will be videotaped and aired at two events planned for spring 2005. The stories will also be archived at the Chumash Interpretive Center in Thousand Oaks.

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MENDOZA