Kingsmen Shakespeare Company Mourns Death of Director John Slade; "Julius Caesar" to Go On in Thousand Oaks 7/21-8/26

‘Caesar’ to go on after director’s death

Kingsmen Shakespeare Company mourning John Slade

John Slade in “King Lear” (Photo credit: Brian Stethem)

The Kingsmen Shakespeare Company is mourning the unexpected death of John Slade, who was directing this summer’s production of “Julius Caesar,” but the show will go on with the festival’s founder stepping in to bring his colleague’s vision to the stage.

Slade died last Friday from injuries he sustained in a car accident which occurred Thursday night as he was driving from rehearsal to his home in Ojai.

Michael J. Arndt, founder and artistic director of the Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival, stepped in Saturday to direct “Julius Caesar,” which opens July 21. He is working with associate artistic director Brett Elliott, who is playing Marc Anthony, and Jason D. Rennie, who is portraying Cinna, to present the play as Slade intended.

Slade had set the production in modern Rome and put together a cast featuring several gender-swapped and unconventionally portrayed characters. Women play the traditionally male roles of Cassius, Messala, Soothsayer and Lucius. Cinna the Poet is Nigerian and two of the immigrants are Persian.

William Shakespeare, a royalist when there were a number of plots against Queen Elizabeth’s monarchy, wrote “Julius Caesar” to show how the violent removal of a powerful leader can only lead to chaos, according to Slade.

This would have been Slade’s fourth time directing a Kingsmen production. He began by directing “Henry V” in 2004. An integral part of the company, he also acted in many of the festival’s plays, including the title role in “King Lear” in 2007.

Slade had a varied career as a director, stage and screen actor, teacher, musician and writer. His started out more than 40 years ago at the University of Michigan, where he and classmate Gilda Radner founded a repertory company that juxtaposed drama, comedy and music. In recent years, the former Nordhoff High School English and theater arts teacher toured the country performing his one-man concert play, “Walt Whitman, Live.” He earned many awards for writing, directing and acting from Drama-Logue, Drama Circle, Valley Theatre League and other organizations.

“Julius Caesar” is the second and final production of the festival’s 21st season. The political tragedy will be presented at 8 p.m. July 21 through 23, July 28 through 30, and Aug. 4 through 6 in Kingsmen Park on the Thousand Oaks campus of California Lutheran University. The Kingsmen Shakespeare Company is the professional theater company of Cal Lutheran.

The festival grounds open at 5:30 p.m. for picnicking and entertainment. General admission is $20 for adults and free for those under 18. Individual tickets are available at the door only. For lawn box reservations and more information, visit kingsmenshakespeare.org or call 805-493-3452.

Nominations for Thousand Oaks Excellence in Arts Award Due July 28, 2017

The Excellence in the Arts Awards are designed to honor and celebrate persons and organizations that contribute to the vibrancy of the arts and culture and increase access to arts experiences in Thousand Oaks.

2017 Award Categories
The arts are defined as visual and performing arts, including but not limited to music, dance, theater, painting, sculpture, photography and traditional/folk art.  For these specific awards, the arts do not include literary arts. All winners may be asked to participate in city events, either by serving as an Arts Ambassador or through performance or exhibition opportunities. Philanthropy, while important, is not considered to be a factor in the criteria for any award.

1. Community Impact
   The Community Impact Award is presented to a person or organization who has inspired and encouraged the arts and culture in Thousand Oaks in a creative or innovative way. The winner will be notable in the community memory for years to come because of an emphasis on some or all of the following: a) bringing together organizations or people in the arts, b) elevating the arts and culture through visionary leadership, creativity, advocacy and volunteerism, and c) inspiring and encouraging artists and arts groups in the areas of innovation, outreach, inclusiveness and access.
2. Emerging Arts Leadership
   The Emerging Arts Leadership Award is presented to a person or organization demonstrating the potential to influence and elevate the arts and culture through outstanding vision, leadership and creativity.  Age is not a factor in this award.
3. Exceptional Arts Education
   The Exceptional Arts Education Award is presented to an individual or organization for excellent work in and significant contributions to arts education, either a) through enhancing the education curriculum within the school system, or b) through creating educational opportunities in the arts outside the school setting. 
4. Artist of the Year
   The Artist of the Year Award recognizes a dedicated individual’s excellence and accomplishments in an arts discipline.  This award is for unique vision, high artistic quality, creativity and innovation.
5. The Mayor’s Award
   The Mayor’s Award is granted each year to a recipient chosen by the Mayor of Thousand Oaks. There are not parameters or restrictions for this award, which is up to the sole discretion of the current mayor.

The award determination is based on the award criteria listed below and the category definitions detailed on the award nomination form. Nomination deadline is Friday, July 28th (extended - originally was the 20th) at 4pm. Learn more at www.toaks.org/departments/cultural-affairs/arts-awards.

Assisted Living Facility Being Built at the Top of the Conejo Grade in Newbury Park

Update 7/4/17: Photo showing progress to date. Photo shows smoke in the air from a 50 acre fire on the north side of the 101 on the Conejo Grade near Camarillo Springs exit. Firefighters nailed it as usual, the smoke cleared, and fireworks went off without a hitch.

Progress being made on the 130 unit Sage Mountain Assisted Living facility adjacent to the 101 in Newbury Park.

Posted 10/20/16:

Grading has started at 3499 Grande Vista Drive in Thousand Oaks

What's that you see going on at the top of the Conejo Grade on the north side of the 101? Grading is underway for the 130 unit Sage Mountain Assisted Living facility. This facility will contain 98 assisted living units and 32 memory care units, including studios and 1 bedroom apartments.

See a conceptual mock-up of the facility from the eastbound 101 at THIS LINK. 

Address of the project is 3499 Grande Vista Drive, Thousand Oaks.
 

The view down the Conejo Grade from this location.

2017 Aloha Beach Festival in Ventura Has Been "Put on Hold" by Organizers

The Aloha Beach Festival took place in Promenade Park/Surfer's Point in Ventura on Labor Day Weekend the last 12 years. The event featured surfing, outrigger canoe and surfing competitions live music, arts and crafts, food vendors and more.

This year, event organizers have indicated the festival has been put on hold as they "assess the enormous rate hikes the City of Ventura" has indicated. They will "take time off, and reflect on why we do the Aloha Beach Festival based on pure love." 

That's a bummer.

For updates, visit www.alohabeachfestival.us.

Eight Ventura County Schools Receive 2017 Gold Ribbon Honors from California Department of Education

Eight Ventura County area schools are recipients of the 2017 Gold Ribbon Schools Award from the California Department of Education. The award recognizes middle and high schools that have developed innovative programs that support rigorous academic standards and create a positive school environment. The winning local schools are:

• A.E. Wright Middle School (Las Virgenes Unified School District)
• Adolfo Camarillo High School (Oxnard Union High School District)
• Colina Middle School (Conejo Valley Unified School District)
• Hillside Middle School (Simi Valley Unified School District)
• Moorpark High School (Moorpark Unified School District)
• Redwood Middle School (Conejo Valley Unified School District)
• Royal High School (Simi Valley Unified School District)
• Westlake High School (Conejo Valley Unified School District)

A.E. Wright Middle School received an additional award for being a Title I Academic Achieving School. This additional recognition is given only to schools receiving federal Title I funds that assist in meeting the educational needs of students living at or below the poverty line.

Eligible schools for the 2017 Gold Ribbon Award exclude schools that previously won the award in 2015. These schools include Sequoia Middle School (CVUSD), Thousand Oaks High School (CVUSD), Medea Creek Middle School (Oak Park USD), Oak Park High School, Ocean View Junior High, Santa Susana High (Simi Valley USD), Sinaloa Middle School (SVUSD) and Valley View Middle School (SVUSD).

This year, 275 Gold Ribbon honorees were selected out of 477 schools that applied. Additional information about the Gold Ribbon Schools Award is available at www.cde.ca.gov/ta/sr/gr.

The California Gold Ribbon Schools Award was created to honor schools in place of the California Distinguished Schools Program, which is on hiatus while California creates new assessment, accountability, and continuous improvement systems.

About the Ventura County Office of Education

The Ventura County Office of Education provides a broad array of fiscal, training and technology support services to local school districts, helping to maintain and improve lifelong educational opportunities for children, educators and community members. VCOE also operates schools that serve students with severe disabilities and behavioral issues, provides career education courses, and coordinates countywide academic competitions including Mock Trial and the Ventura County Science Fair. Learn more at www.vcoe.org.

City of Simi Valley Offers Up to $50,000 Home Rehab Loans for Low-Income Homeowners

City of Simi Valley Offers $50,000 Deferred Payment Home Rehabilitation Program Loans with 2% Interest for Low-Income Homeowners

The City of Simi Valley offers deferred payment Home Rehabilitation loans up to $50,000 to low-income homeowners, with no monthly payments. Loans accrue 2% interest for the first 15 years, and are reserved for owner-occupied single-family homes in need of repair. Full repayment is required when the property is sold, refinanced, or leased, or when the property changes title. 

In order to qualify for these loans, household income may not exceed low-income limits published annually by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Repayment of Home Rehabilitation loans is required upon sale, refinance, or transfer of the property.

Examples of eligible work include roof repair or replacement, repair or replacement of damaged walls, doors, screens, hardware, cabinets, bathroom fixtures, kitchen built-in appliances, replacement of deteriorated floor coverings, connection to sanitary sewer, repair or replacement of severely deteriorated exterior stucco, siding and doors (including garage doors), window replacements, replacement of deteriorated/hazardous driveway, replacement of old heating and air conditioning systems, installing attic insulation, and weatherstripping.

For further information or to request an application contact the City’s Home Rehabilitation Coordinator at 805-583-6757 and visit www.simivalley.org/departments/environmental-services/housing-section-planning-division/home-rehabilitation-program for details.

Source: City of Simi Valley website at www.simivalley.org.

New Playground Equipment at Walnut Grove Park in Thousand Oaks

The Conejo Recreation and Park District recently introduced new and improved, raceway-themed playground equipment at Walnut Grove Park, 400 Windtree Avenue, Thousand Oaks.

This 6 acre neighborhood park also has an off-leash dog area, basketball courts a handball court (not many of these around town) and a large grassy area. No restrooms, however. www.crpd.org/parkfac/parks/walnutgrove.asp

Simi Valley Police Department Announces SAFECAM Camera Registry Program

SAFECAM is the Simi Valley Police Department’s newest crime fighting program and represents another opportunity for the police department to partner with local businesses and community members to help create an even safer place to live, work, and play. Through SAFECAM residents and business owners who operate security cameras have the opportunity to help the Simi Valley Police Department prevent and solve crime.

SAFECAM is a database of personal security cameras owned and operated by businesses and residents in the City of Simi Valley. Those who have security cameras on their business or residence are encouraged to register their cameras through SAFECAM. In the event a crime, traffic collision or other law enforcement related event occurs near the area where registered security cameras are located, Simi Valley Police Department personnel will be able to quickly contact the owner of the camera to request the footage. By being able to quickly locate and view security footage, Simi Valley Police Department personnel will be better able to identify possible suspects and bring them to justice.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The Simi Valley Police Department is dedicated to finding new and innovative ways to partner with local residents and business owners. By completing a registration form and submitting it to the Simi Valley Police Department your camera information will be entered into a database that is maintained by the police department. When a crime, traffic collision or other law enforcement related event occurs, officers will be able to quickly access the SAFECAM database, identify businesses and residences in the area that have security cameras, contact the owners of the camera and request footage which may help to identify suspects and assist with the apprehension and prosecution of those involved.

Information provided to the Simi Valley Police Department regarding camera systems will be for official use only. All personal information will be confidential and not for public dissemination.

HOW YOU CAN BE A PART OF SAFECAM

If your residence or business has a security camera system you can help the Simi Valley Police Department investigate and solve crimes by registering your camera in one of three ways:

• Go to www.simivalley.org/safecam to complete the on-line SAFECAM registration form. Then press the “submit” button at the bottom of the page.

• Print out the SAFECAM registration form from www.simivalley.org/safecam, complete it, and drop it off at the Simi Valley Police Department’s front counter or mail it to the Simi Valley Police Department Communication Center at 3901 Alamo Street, Simi Valley, CA 93063.

• Or, contact the Simi Valley Police Department’s Crime Prevention Representative, Jean-Marie Maroshek at (805) 583-6276 to help complete your registration over the phone.

The Simi Valley Police Department recognizes that they cannot prevent or solve crime by itself. The police department has had a long standing relationship with the community and SAFECAM is another way for the police and community to work together to help keep Simi Valley safe. There are more ways that you can be a part of keeping Simi Valley safe:

• Neighborhood Watch
• Next Door (electronic Neighborhood Watch)
• Business Watch
• Citizens on Patrol (Volunteer Program)

For additional information on all of the Crime Prevention Programs that the Simi Valley Police Department offers, call (805) 583-6276

Another local city with a video camera registration program is Ventura. Learn more at www.cityofventura.net/securitycameras.