Discovery Center founders honored

The Conejo Council PTA recently presented Linda Organ and Carrie Glicksteen with its annual Honorary Service Award.

The awards were handed out at the PTA's end-of-the-year awards dinner held June 5 at the Clarion Palm Garden in Newbury Park. In attendance were PTA council members, unit presidents, educators, administrators and Thousand Oaks City Council members. The theme of the evening was "PTA Magic."

Organ and Glicksteen started the Discovery Center for Science and Technology in the Conejo Valley 12 years ago. Though their programs haven't yet found a permanent home, they've been kept alive thanks to the efforts of the two award winners, according to Aleta Smith, president-elect of the Conejo Council PTA.

"Their enthusiasm to bring the 'Museum Without Walls' to all the children in the Conejo Valley is nothing short of remarkable," Smith said. "They fire up the volunteers on a regular basis and tenaciously keep trying to find a place to house their many incredible science programs."

Glicksteen is a former school principal and Organ is a college professor.

Also that evening, Mayor Dennis Gillette made a city proclamation honoring the Conejo Council PTA for its outstanding volunteerism.

-Kyle Jorrey