Conejo Valley Days grand marshal contestants announced

The 2005 Conejo Valley Days (CVD) Grand Marshal Race is in full gear. Contenders were announced March 12 at the CVD Kickoff Picnic.

"Bounty Hunter Brenda" Hunter is raising funds for Conejo Valley Neighborhood for Learning and Kevin "The Colonel" Kern is raising funds for the Kingsmen Shakespeare Company. The CVD Grand Marshal will be selected based on whoever raises the most money for his or her charity through the contest’s end on Fri., April 22.

Activities planned by "Bounty Hunter Brenda" include Casino Night at Westlake Yacht Club (WYC) on Sat., April 9 and a garage sale, Kiwanis Club barbecue, "stroller derby" and family fun day at the Crowley House, 2522 Pleasant Way, Thousand Oaks on Sat., April 16.

"We’re not only fundraising, we’re ‘friend raising,’" said Hunter, executive director of Conejo Valley Neighborhood for Learning. "Our goal is to educate the community that preschool is an investment that the entire community will benefit from. Studies show that when kids have access to early education, they are less likely to need intervention services later on."

Conejo Valley Neighborhood for Learning is funded by First Five California. It operates three preschools at Conejo, Park Oaks and Manzanita elementary schools and four family resource centers.

"Our funding has been cut," said Hunter. "The money we raise during the grand marshal race will go directly to helping preschoolers and their families."

The "Old West Heroes and Villains Casino Night" event will be presented from 7 to 11 p.m. Sat., April 9 at the WYC, 32123 Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village. It will feature craps, roulette, blackjack, Texas hold ’em poker, player’s stakes, food and live entertainment. Guests are invited to come dressed as their favorite Western hero or villain and prizes will be awarded for best costumes. There will also be a silent auction and raffle prizes.

Tickets are $90 per person. For advance reservations, call (805) 496-9035.

This fundraising event is in support of Conejo Valley Neighborhood for Learning’s school readiness and family strengthening programs.

Kevin "The Colonel" Kern is raising money to benefit the youth programs of the Kingsmen Shakespeare Company. Programs include the Shakespeare Educational Tour, Camp Shakespeare and the Kingsmen Junior Apprentice Program. The programs serve youth in elementary, middle and high schools.

"Only one in five school-aged children in California has been to the theatre or an art museum. That’s very troubling. The arts make education complete," said Kern, who is one of the founding members of the Kingsmen Shakespeare Company. "Our Shakespeare Educational Tour visits Conejo Valley elementary schools where six professional actors and teachers teach the kids how to perform Shakespeare. Our goal is to show youngsters that Shakespeare is not boring but great literature. Along the way, they will learn problem-solving skills, public speaking and teamwork."

Money raised during the CVD Grand Marshal Race will help pay for these educational programs and keep theatre prices low at children’s theatre productions.

Fundraisers for "The Colonel" include a hoedown at Borderline Bar & Grill, 99 Rolling Oaks Drive, Thousand Oaks on Fri., April 1 and a rummage sale and a picnic in the park (dates and locations to be determined).

Grand marshal candidates are selling T-shirts, hats and candidate badges. For a list of fundraising activities for both candidates, go to www.conejovalleydays.com. For more information, call CVD at (805) 371-8730.