Karen Lindell

• Broadway belter flexes her acting muscles in Ventura Published 05/24/2012 at 3 p.m.

  Lillias White can belt out a showstopping Broadway tune that will knock you backward, sideways and eventually off your seat. The Tony-winning actress, currently starring as Aunt Ester in the Rubicon Theatre's production of August Wilson's play "Gem of the ...

• County events to honor Memorial Day Published 05/24/2012 at 3 p.m.

  Lives lost and lives won are honored on Memorial Day as we remember the men and women who died for our country. The following Memorial Day ceremonies are planned in Ventura County.

• New West Symphony announces new music director Published 05/24/2012 at 12:05 a.m.

  Marcelo Lehninger, 32, is the orchestra's new conductor. A native Brazilian who now lives in Boston, where he serves as assistant conductor or the Boston Symphony Orchestra, was the unanimous pick of the New West search committee.

• Everything you need to know about Oxnard strawberry fest this weekend Updated 05/18/2012 at 10:01 a.m.

  The 29th annual California Strawberry Festival in Oxnard this weekend can be summed up in one monosyllabic word: yum.

• La Reina doesn't claim mock trial title, but 'we tried our hardest' Published 05/06/2012 at 1:36 a.m.

  The La Reina High School mock trial team has not advanced to the championship round in a national competition.

• Care with characterizations rounds out La Reina's mock trial performances Published 05/04/2012 at 6:44 p.m.

  Courtroom etiquette is steeped in formality: All the standing before speaking; the refrains of "Yes, your honor" and "May I approach the witness"; the mandated silence for spectators.

• La Reina team spends time practicing for shot at mock trial final Published 05/03/2012 at 9:57 p.m.

  For the La Reina High School mock trial team, Thursday was all about practice, pizza and pins, but mostly about practice. Nonstop practice.

• Fill your ears with music and stories, and your tummy with yummy carnival treats, at a trio of big weekend events Published 05/03/2012 at 3:20 p.m.

  California neophyte Alexander Schimpf deserves better. The 29-year-old German pianist is on his first trip ever to the state this week (the farthest west he's been in the U.S. is Mississippi). Like many international guests, the first thing he'll see ...

• La Reina heads for New Mexico in quest of national mock trial title Published 05/02/2012 at 6:53 p.m. 5 Comments

  The La Reina mock trial team also is used to doing exceptionally well at mock trial contests. The team has won 17 county and three state championships since 1990.

• Star-studded Ojai Playwrights Conference gala will take place April 28 Published 04/26/2012 at 3 p.m.

  Playwrights and Jesuits are one and the same, says playwright and Jesuit priest Bill Cain. Both, he believes, find humanity in the margins.

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