Symphony Receives ‘Challenge Grant’

Thousand Oaks has awarded New West Symphony a $10,000 “challenge grant,” a donation that will require matching funds from other Ventura County cities to help fund the symphony’s February 2001 concert.

“Celebrate the Cities” is an all-Beethoven concert to be performed at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza and the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. Betsy Chess, the symphony’s executive director, said she hopes other cities will follow the leads of Ventura, Oxnard and Westlake Village, which have supported the arts organization in the past.

To show appreciation for the cities’ generosity, the symphony said it will donate 200 concert tickets to community groups that service families and children, such as the Boys & Girls Club and Many Mansions.

New West Symphony, now in its sixth season, performs regularly at both Ventura County venues. The organization recently announced new officers to its board of directors. Judy Linton of Thousand Oaks is president; Oxnard resident Shary Carr is secretary; Nancy Burke of Oxnard is treasurer; and William Israel of Thousand Oaks is parliamentarian.

New members to the board this year include Oak Park resident Josh Pine, Westlake Village resident Alan Cordover and Peter Nicholson of Thousand Oaks.