Foundation's CLvFFie Awards set

Tickets are still available for the seventh annual Conejo/Las Virgenes Future Foundation's CLvFFie (pronounced Cliffie) Awards, scheduled for Sat., Nov. 17 at Los Robles Greens Banquet Center in Thousand Oaks, say organizers.

The CLvFFie Awards honors individuals and groups in the Conejo/Las Virgenes region in several categories, said the foundation's executive director, Fran Brough.

More than 50 applications from the city of Calabasas through Newbury Park were submitted to the organization, said CLvFFie co-chair Jeff Blum.

"Our region has so many dedicated individuals and groups working toward keeping this area an ideal place to live and work," Blum said. "The caliber of the nominees makes choosing our finalists a very difficult job."

Foundation chair Carl Herman said anyone who is interested in the quality of life in the Conejo/ Las Virgenes corridor would find the event worthwhile. "The special event (honors) those who have made a difference," he said.

Brough said finalists have been selected in eight categories:

The Arts: Village Voices Chorale, Cabrillo Music Theater and Matthew Finders

Education: Heidi Cissell, Nancy Bowman and Harry Leff

Community Service/Individuals: Steece Koukl, Daryl Reynolds and John Hodak

Community Service/Organizations: Habitat to the Max, Community Conscience and Assistance League of Conejo Valley

Business: Sage Publications, Bunnin Automotive Group and Madelyn Alfano

Public Safety: Disaster Resistance Response Team of Thousand Oaks, Disaster Communication Service District 22 and Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff's Booster Club

Youth Leadership: Elliott Bowles, Thousand Oaks High School Link Crew, Virgillo Garcia and Jacob Sipos

Youth Sports: Greg Le Gore, Amateur Baseball Development Group and Ed Corridori Brough said the event is conducted similarly to the Oscars, Grammys and Emmy awards. One recipient from each category is selected by secret ballot to receive the foundation's top honor- the CLvFFie Award. The winner's name will be revealed at the Nov. 17 event.

The Arts Council of the Conejo Valley has been chosen to receive the Doris La Violette Award this year for its "long and distinguished history of effectively advancing cultural opportunities for the residents of the region to exercise and develop their own creative gifts as well as be entertained by the talents of other community members," Brough said. The Arts Council, a nonprofit art and educational alliance, was formed in 1967. The council includes 59 member organizations in the Conejo Valley, and regularly partners with other nonprofits and governmental agencies to provide opportunities for people throughout the region. Sage Publications and A.G. Edwards are sponsors of the event. Members of the community are welcome to attend the CLvFFie Awards, Brough said. The $80 per person ticket price includes dinner, the awards ceremony and entertainment by the Kingsmen Shakespeare Company, last year's CLvFFie recipient in the arts. Master of ceremonies will be Don Stark of "That '70s Show." For an invitation or additional information about sponsorship opportunities, call the Future Foundation at (818) 8801054.

- Stephanie Bertholdo