Community Action to Honor Moorpark College Professor

By all accounts, Marie Panec, a 13-year Moorpark College biology professor, cared greatly for and gave hugely to her community. Before passing away in May at age 57, she served on the Oak Park Unified School District board and the board of Community Action of Ventura County, which is now honoring her at its Second Chance Winter Ball.

Panec also served on the Ventura County School Boards Association, as a Girl Scout leader, in the Peace Corps, on the Ventura County National Women’s Political Caucus, as a congressional candidate and as an after-school volunteer teacher at the elementary education level. She raised two daughters and had a long-lasting marriage to Alan Roll.

“She was a brilliant thinker and independent problem solver with a great skill in asking penetrating and important questions to get to the heart of a matter. I really admired that about her,” said Moorpark Council Member Roseann Mikos, who is also a CAVC board member.

Community Action provides services and outreach to low-income and homeless families and individuals. The organization offers programs in the areas of housing, food, employment and youth, family and legal issues. Money raised by the winter ball will benefit CAVC’s programs.

The event will take place from 6:30 p.m. to midnight Saturday at the Westlake Hyatt Plaza at 880 S. Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village. It will include dinner, dancing and live and silent auctions. Entertainment will be provided by Zana Messina, the Balkan Soul Orchestra, Big Adventure and the Shoemaker Brothers.

Tickets, which are $95, are available on the CAVC website. Ticket sales have been extended through Saturday; however, organizers are requesting purchases be made as soon as possible for planning purposes. Sponsorship and donation opportunities are also available. Call 805-436-4018 or send email to jmartinez@ca-vc.org for more information.