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Everyone is invited to enjoy an evening of poetry on Tuesday, April 10, when the winners of the 11th annual Ventura County Writers Club Poetry Contest will be announced. The winning poets have been invited to perform their works at the April club meeting, and they and their families will be honored at a reception with refreshments following the readings and presentation of plaques.

Winners will be notified in advance so they can attend and read their poems. The names of the winners will be withheld from all but the winners until the night of the presentation. The club would like to thank Maggie Westland for chairing the contest this year and to all of the poets who volunteered to be judges.

This year there will be more winners as the club received six entries in our new, exciting Audio/Visual category. The other categories are: Adult, Youth under 12 and Youth 12 – 18.

“The Audio/Visual category added a new level of creativity to the contest,” stated Maggie Westland. “Poetry is no longer simply words. It sings aloud, delights our eyes and encompasses concrete poems, collage, cartoon, calligraphy, animation, spoken word, slam, hip hop, and lyrics. Audio and video come together as poets perform before cameras with sound tracks. Depending upon the winning A/V entries, we may have them perform live or set up a way to view the winners from YouTube.”

There were 137 total entries this year, including 27 from young people.

“As our Educational Outreach program takes off,” said Kate Sexton, club president, “we hope to work with schools and receive a larger number of entries from students next year. Inspiring a new generation to embrace poetry and other forms of written communication goes to the core of VCWC’s mission-to encourage the craft.”

Winning poems will be published in the club’s newsletter, The Write Stuff and an upcoming edition of the club’s anthology.

For more information on the Ventura County Writers Club, visit: http://www.venturacountywriters.com/

About Ventura County Writers Club

Since its formation in 1933 with four members in Ojai, the club has grown to more than 150 members and holds regular monthly general membership meetings. Members may attend, free of charge, a variety of Writers Workshops, groups that meet one or more times a month throughout the county to read and critique manuscripts and discuss many aspects of the business of writing. Monthly meetings are open to all interested writers and are held the second Tuesday of each month (except December) at the Pleasant Valley Senior Center in Camarillo, CA.

For more information, contact: Kathleen Kaiser, 805-524-6970, Kathleen@KathleenKaiser.com.

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The California Lutheran University Creative Arts Division will present “Jekyll & Hyde” at

Brent Ramirez as Jekyll and Hyde

the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.

The evocative tale of the epic battle between good and evil will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m.Sundays from April 20 through 29 in the Janet and Ray Scherr Forum Theatre.

Senior Brent Ramirez, a former bank manager from Simi Valley who returned to school to study theatre arts, plays the title role of Jekyll/Hyde. Oak Park resident Kristi McClave, a junior psychology major who has sung with pop rock bands and performed a song on the “Legally Blonde 2” soundtrack, plays Lucy Harris, the main attraction at a disreputable nightclub.

Also starring in the production are senior theatre arts major Martha Sadie Griffin from Alexandria, Minn., as Jekyll’s fiancée, Emma Carew; senior theatre arts major Jordan Skinner from Phoenix as Jekyll’s lawyer and best friend, Utterson; senior music major Jeffrey Shaner from Simi Valley as Emma’s father, Sir Danvers Carew; and sophomore theatre arts major Ashton Williams from Reno, Nev., as Nellie, manager of the Red Rat.

“Jekyll & Hyde” is based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic story about a brilliant doctor whose experiments with human personality create a murderous counterpart. Convinced the cure for his father’s mental illness lies in the separation of man’s evil nature from his good, Dr. Henry Jekyll unwittingly unleashes his own dark side, wreaking havoc in thestreets of late 19th-century London as the savage maniacal Edward Hyde. Familiar songs in the production include “This is the Moment,” “Once Upon a Dream” and “Someone Like You.”

Theatre arts professor Michael J. Arndt is directing the production. Professor Daniel Geeting is music director and conductor. Angela Hicks is vocal music director and Barbara Wegher-Thompson is choreographer.

The CLU Theatre Arts Department was one of the first groups to perform at the Scherr Forum Theatre and the first to present a fully staged musical with orchestra. Since 1994, CLU has staged a production at the forum every other year.

Steve Cuden and Frank Wildhorn conceived of “Jekyll & Hyde” for the stage. Book and lyrics are by Leslie Bricusse, music is by Frank Wildhorn, orchestrations are by Kim Scharnberg and arrangements are by Jason Howland.

The forum is located at 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Tickets are $21 and may be purchased at the Civic Arts Plaza Box Office or through Ticketmaster.

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The Sixth Annual Festival of Scholars at California Lutheran University will showcase the work of undergraduate and graduate students from Monday, April 23, through Friday, April 27.

Scholarly work by students and faculty in the College of Arts of Sciences, the Graduate School of Education and the School of Management will be featured in poster and oral presentations, panel discussions, exhibitions and performances.

In a session on “Declassifying the Cold War,” students will present conference papers based on declassified CIA documents from the 1980s that they analyzed. Abstracts will be presented on “Choosing Gorbachev,” “Taking the Moral High Ground: Reagan, Abortion, and the Cold War” and “Youth Revolts in the Soviet Union.”

Moviemakers in the HD Digital Cinema class will present works-in-progress and completednarrative, animated and experimental shorts. A poster session highlighting student research from a variety of disciplines will include topics ranging from combating healthcare fraud to gender identity differences in television viewing to the representation of women in print advertisement.

Students from The History and Literature of Music class will present formal papers in a public reading. Mark Swed, noted author and chief music critic for the Los Angeles Times, will serve as guest commentator. Student musicians will present recitals.

Faculty soloists will perform “Twelve Poems of Emily Dickinson,” set to music by American composer Aaron Copland. Prior to the performance, two faculty lectures will focus on the poetry and music on which this 20th century song cycle isbased. The event will conclude with Music Director Wyant Morton conducting faculty soloists and the CLU Women’s Chorale in “Will There Really Be a Morning?”

Presentations by clinical psychology doctoral students on “Phantastic Phindings in Physiological Psychology” will include abstracts on stem cell treatment as a promising intervention for degenerative diseases, effects of cognitive enhancement therapy in early schizophrenia, and sports-related concussions.

This year’s festival includes a fundraising gala to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Graduate School of Education and the School of Management. The Silver Anniversary Gala will be held in University Plaza from 5:30 to 9 p.m. April 26. Business ethicist James O’Toole will present the keynote address and soprano Jacquelynne Fontaine, a 2005 CLU alumna from Moorpark, will entertain.

CLU’s Office for Undergraduate Research is presenting the free public events. For a complete list, go to http://www.callutheran.edu/fos. For more information, contact Michele LeBlanc at our@callutheran.edu or 805-493-3795. To purchase tickets for the Silver Anniversary Gala, go to http://www.callutheran.edu/25gala or contact Kristine Calara at kcalara@callutheran.edu or 805-493-3837.

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Live jazz and gourmet food and wine tasting are some of the highlights of the Conejo Wine & Jazz Fest set for May 20, 2012 at Conejo Creek Park, North (1379 East Janss Road) in Thousand Oaks from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Performing live onstage are Tim Heintz, bringing his blend of jazz, rock and R&B music, jazz aficionado Matt Harris who has toured with jazz greats Maynard Ferguson and Buddy Rich, Cuban-born percussionist Luis Conte and “Mighty” Mo Rodgers who combines his soulful, gritty vocals with driving rhythms that have wowed audiences for decades. Participating wineries include Opolo Vineyards, Magnavino Cellars, Consensio Cellars,Herzog Wine Cellars, Vines of the Marycrest, Roxo Port Cellars, Millesime Cellar, Total Wines, Laby Rinth and J Hamilton Wines. Restaurants and caterers include DJ’s California Catering and La Cucina di Venti. Presented by the Rotary Club of Westlake Village Sunrise, proceeds support high school music programs in the Conejo Valley. Tickets: $50 per person ($75 VIP tickets include VIP parking, one hour early admission and reserved seating near the performance stage). Must be age 21 or older. Information: 805-380-6015, info@ConejoWineandJazz.com or go http://www.conejowineandjazz.com/ to purchase tickets.

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C.A.T.S. Summer Camps has been busy planning an exciting season of camps for ages 4-14 and is looking forward to a fun summer. Camps are held in partnership with local recreation districts in Camarillo, Santa Barbara, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Ventura, Westlake Village and range from half-day to full-day camps.

The following camps will be offered this summer (please note – not all camps are offered in all locations):

Camp Bound for Broadway – (ages 7-13) a week long, day camp where students will be cast in a production of “The Wizard of Oz” to present for family and friends.

Wizardry and Literacy Camp – (ages 7-13) a week long, full-day camp where campers can live the magic with J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” as they read, journal, make and sample foods and play games from the famous wizarding school.

Glee Musical Theatre Camp –“Summer’s a Poppin’” – (ages 7-14) A week long, full-day camp to help students improve their singing, dancing and musical theatre skills as they put together a musical revue for parents and friends.

Twinkle Toes Dance Camp – (ages 4-6) Students will enjoy an exciting dance adventure, through the use of basic steps, music, encouragement, and lots of imagination as they explore creative movement, hip hop, tap and jazz.

Commercial, Drama & Improv Sampler Camp– (ages 8-14) Young actors will learn to perform and audition for the camera; learn to analyze a script; be involved in improv and drama games as they work on a variety of acting skills.

Kids Can Cook Too! Cake and Candy Decorating – (ages 7-14) Students will learn the decorating basics of the Wilton method and candy molding and making.

Camp Off Broadway – (ages 5-7) A fun half-day camp for younger performers that teaches theatrical concepts as students learn theater games and skills necessary to present an end-of-camp performance. Wanna Be a PopStar? Solo Vocal Performing Camp – (ages 8-14) a week of solo and group vocals with lessons in voice technique, stage presence, breath control and singer choreography.

Murder Mystery Drama Camp – “Murder at the Manor” – (ages 9-14) – Campers will learn the art of interactive drama as we produce an interactive murder mystery performance for family and friends on the last day of camp.

C.A.T.S. also offers a Counselor in Training Program (C.I.T.) for ages 13-16 that allows older campers to attend camp and have fun while working closely with staff to learn valuable job skills and work ethic. Many of their C.I.T.’s go on to become counselors when they become 16 or older. Registration for this program is available on the C.A.T.S. website until May 31st.

Roxanne Diesel has been a camp director and instructor for more than 20 years and is joined by camp directors Katie Deutz, Cassie Johnson and Veronica Morrow as well as an experienced staff who strive to create a fun, enriching and positive experience for all campers.

For more information, dates and locations please visit www.catssummercamps.com call (661) 718-3968.

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Fairy Tales in the Park, presented by Children’s Dental Group by Gypsies in a Trunk, open

L to R: John Logue, Chris Carnicelli and Gabriel Vega perform in a Fairytales in the Park production of “Peter Pan”. For dates, times and locations of free performances visit www.fairytalesinthepark.com

their 18th season of free Fairy Tales in the Park in May with “Peter Pan.” Three wild and crazy cowboys, with the help of the audience, act out the tale of Peter Pan as they play all the characters in this fun, interactive free production.

“Peter Pan” is directed by Gabriel Vega and features actors Chris Carnicelli, John R. Logue, as well as Mr. Vega, in this knee-slapping tale.

Gypsies in a Trunk productions are directed and performed by volunteer professionals in the community who enjoy lending their talents to bring live theatre to the young and young at heart in a relaxed, free setting.

Gypsies in a Trunk is proud to partner with Children’s Dental Group, with Spaceship Offices in Oxnard, Camarillo, Simi and Thousand Oaks as their 2012 Presenting Sponsor. Children’s Dental Group are specialists in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics serving Ventura County’s children since 1977. Visit them online at spaceshipdentist.com.

Gypsies in a Trunk is pleased to hold their performances in relaxed outdoor settings at five locations to allow children and their families to enjoy live theatre at its best. Performances are free to the public, but in the age-old gypsy tradition, actors pass the hat at intermission; any donation to help cover the costs of costumes and props is greatly appreciated. So gather up the kids, pack a picnic or snacks and enjoy free family entertainment.

Performances of “Peter Pan”, will be held: May 5th in Westlake Village at 11:30 am at Foxfield Park and Simi Valley at 4:00 pm at the Rancho Simi Amphitheater in Rancho Simi Community Park at the corner of Erringer and Royal; May 6th at Harbor View Park in Channel Islands Harbor at 2 pm; May 12th in Camarillo at 11:30 am at Valle Lindo Park – 889 Aileen St and in Ventura at 4:00 pm at Barranca Vista Park, 7050 Ralston. Ample seating is available on the ground at all locations, you may bring blankets, lunch or snacks.

We love Fido too, but pets have a tendency to upstage the actors so please leave Fido at home if possible. Visit www.fairytalesinthepark.com for directions and maps for information.

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Discover the national park right in your backyard, at the third annual National Park Service Science Festival. The event and parking are free and open to the public.

The hours are 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Friday, April 27th, and 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 28th at Paramount Ranch in Agoura Hills, Calif.

Become a citizen scientist. Learn how to track mountain lions, bobcats and island foxes. Get to know the native marine life.

Scientists from Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, Channel Islands National Park and Cabrillo National Monument will give presentations on the science occurring in the parks.

For directions and a full schedule of events, please visit: http://www.nps.gov/samo/sciencefestival.htm. Or call 805-370-2301.

Co-sponsored by the National Park Service, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, California Science Center, Children’s Nature Institute and Santa Monica Mountains Fund.

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Longtime Oak Park resident Harvey Kern, who recently moved to Los Angeles, has announced that, along with three co-authors) he has had a book on Oak Park published by

'Oak Park' - local authors publish book on area.

Arcadia Publishing. The book will be released on May 21. Following the release, the authors have a series of book signing planned. The profits from book sales are planned to go to benefit Oak Park.

Kern said, “My coauthors (David E. Ross, Harry Medved, and Derek Ross) and I have spent many hours producing a volume which we hope will be enjoyed by current, former, and future residents of the Oak Park community and the surrounding areas.

“The chapters in the book include the history of the land on which Oak Park is located; Early Development; The birth and growth of our schools; Parks and recreation in the community; Cultural life; and films made in and around Oak Park.

“Countless individuals, organizations, and agencies (including OPUSD, RSRPD) are mentioned in our acknowledgements and participated in making this the definitive review of the history of the precious community of Oak Park.

At the very start, we decided that all proceeds from this book would benefit the community.”

The book signings are planned for:

1. Thursday, May 31, 2012: 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.

OPUSD 35TH ANNIVERSARY Book-Signing at Barnes & Noble in the Promenade at Westlake, with all authors.

Special guest: Pat Manning, who spearheaded the creation of the Oak Park Unified School District and who will recall the 10-year struggle leading up to election night victory on May 31, 1977. This event benefits Friends of Oak Park Schools.

2. Thursday, June 14, 2012: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Father’s Day weekend Book-Signing at the Oak Park Library.

With special guests who are Oak Park’s “founding fathers”, including the first MAC Chair Ron Stark. Benefiting the Friends of the Oak Park Library.

3. Sunday, June 24, 2012: 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Oak Canyon’s 20th Anniversary: Nature Preservation and Film Heritage. Book-Signing at Oak Canyon Community Park

Featuring an outdoor screening of classic scenes from movies made in the community and an appearance by Oak Park planner Richard W. Smith and RSRPD veteran Don Hunt. This event will be introduced by Ventura County Supervisor Linda Parks. Benefiting the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District.

Information on the book.
Oak Park
Author(s):Harvey Kern, David E. Ross, Derek Ross, Harry Medved
ISBN:9780738595382
# of Pages:128
Publisher:Arcadia Publishing
On Sale Date:05/21/2012
Price:$21.99
http://www.arcadiapublishing.com/9780738595382/Oak-Park

Book Description:
Ventura County’s largest unincorporated community was born in the mid-1960s on pastoral ranchland previously owned by the radio comedy team of Fibber McGee and Molly in the 1950s and by William Randolph Hearst from the mid-1920s through the 1930s. Originally a Native American site, Oak Park was designed by its builder as a “community in the country” capturing “the scenic grandeur of early California, west of the San Fernando Valley.” Today, it is still widely known for its award-winning schools, beautiful parks, creekside bike paths and nature trails, and a diverse, well-educated population. Many of its nearly 15,000 residents commute to and from Los Angeles. These historic images demonstrate why Oak Park has become one of the most desirable places to live in Southern California.

Author Bio: Harvey Kern and David E. Ross are Oak Park pioneers, having lived in the community for over 40 and 38 years respectively, raising their children in neighborhood schools and participating in many civic events and organizations. Derek Ross, chair of the Oak Park Municipal Advisory Council and editor of OakParkNow.com, is raising his family in this community. Harry Medved, the coauthor of Arcadia’s Location Filming in Los Angeles, has led public relations for the Screen Actors Guild, Warner Bros. Online, and Fandango. He moved his family to Oak Park for its natural beauty.

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Actor Jon Polito will talk to California Lutheran University students and community members from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 21, as part of the “Conversations With …” series.

The informal discussion on the craft of acting will be held in the Preus-Brandt Forum on the Thousand Oaks campus. Actor, writer and director Markus Flanagan, who teaches at CLU, will be the moderator for a one-hour talk followed by aquestion-and-answer session with the audience.

A veteran of more than 100 films, Polito is most recognized from his film work with the Coen brothers including roles in “Miller’s Crossing,” “Barton Fink,” “The Big Lebowski” and “The Man Who Wasn’t There.” He also appeared in “The Crow,” “The Tailor of Panama,” “Big Nothing,” “Death of a Salesman,” “The Freshman” and the 2007 blockbuster “American Gangster.”

Polito, who is in remission from cancer, has also appeared in more than 50 television shows. He was a series regular on the critically acclaimed “Homicide, Life on the Street,” Michael Mann’s “Crime Story,” Syfy’s “The Chronicle” and Steven Bochco’s “Raising The Bar.” Notable guest-starring roles include the befuddled landlord Sylvio on “Seinfield” and his only role as a woman, Rhonda on “The Chris Isaak Show.”

He starred on Broadway with Faye Dunaway in “Curse of an Aching Heart” and with Dustin Hoffman and John Malkovich in the 1985 Tony award-winning revival of “Death Of a Salesman.” Politoreceived the Best Actor OBIE Award in 1980 for his work in five very different off-Broadway performances and the Maverick Spirit Award at the 2005 Cinequest Film Festival for outstanding achievement in film and television in recognition of his full body of work.

The “Conversations With …” talks provide theater arts students and other aspiring actors with advice from professionals. They take the approach laid out in Flanagan’s book, “One Less Bitter Actor: The Actor’s Survival Guide,” which explains how to make it in the business of acting while staying sane and focused.

Donations will be accepted. Proceeds will benefit the CLU Theatre Arts Department.

Preus-Brandt Forum is located south of Olsen Road near Mountclef Boulevard. For more information, call 805-493-3415 or email info@westlakeactingstudio.com.

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Meet and network with scores of local business people at the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce Networking at Night Mixer on Wednesday, March 21, 5:30 to 7 p.m. at California Lutheran University, Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center, 60 West Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks.

Engage with CLU faculty and learn about inspiring university academic projects. Bring plenty of business cards to share with other business professionals and get ready for an evening of great food, fantastic door prizes and valuable networking opportunities.

Cost is $5 for Chamber members, $15 for non-members. Pay at the door; no reservations required.

Chamber mixers are a great way to make new contacts to enhance your business. For more information, visit www.conejochamber.org or call 805.370.0035.