- by Peggy Perry -
s philosophy of life is expansive - if you want to do it, just figure out a way. Jennifer's creative talents in music and writing complement Craig's entrepreneurial and artistic gifts. Their Villa home certainly reflects their myriad interests.
Born in England, raised in Canada, a resident of Los Angeles since the '50s, Jennifer earned a BA from UCLA in English (minor in music). At Western Publishing Company in Beverly Hills and as a free lance writer she has produced advertising copy, political speeches, newspaper articles, Yogi Bear stories, educational text on subjects from space programs to animals and plants in Africa. Her first book,
Great Dinosaurs, was published by Hallmark; her latest (in 2006) is
A Forest of Pipes, The Story of the Walt Disney Concert Hall Organ (which she has played).
A native Californian, Craig grew up in a home filled with music; his mother was an opera star his grandmother performed at the Hollywood Bowl. Craig learned to play the accordion, piano and organ, plus classical and folk guitar. His favorite instrument is the Roland Atelier, which provides the sounds of classical and theater organ, orchestra, jazz, country, almost any kind of music. He has played silent movie accompaniments, dinner music at a yacht club, fundraisers for student organists and given recitals in his own home - and at UVTO.
Craig also sings, acts and dances. He has appeared in several productions with Conejo Players. All of that was a lot more fun than his regular employment. He graduated from USC with a degree in Electrical Engineering and worked in aerospace for 15 years. Something he helped design is still sitting on the moon!
Jennifer, too, plays the piano and organ. With two children in the high school band, her lobbying efforts resulted in a grant of $100,000 for new band instruments. She served as chair of a Thousand Oaks Habitat for Humanity Project in 1991 and has tutored inmates at the Oxnard Juvenile Detention Facility for several years. At UVTO she is actively involved in the biography project featuring residents' memories of the Great Depression and World War II.
Both Craig and Jennifer returned to school in 1979 and earned teaching credentials at CLU. They were educators in local public schools for over 10 years before they managed a California investment corporation for the next 10 years - Craig as CEO and Jennifer as Office Manager. Although they are now officially "retired" Craig still performs and Jennifer still writes, and they both enjoy music. For years they have shared the adventures of travel, backpacking and skiing. To know the full extent of this couple's abilities, experiences and interests, you'll just have to make a dinner date with them!
And when you notice their names as sponsors of the local New West Symphony at Civic Arts Plaza concerts, you'll respond with pride, "I know them – they are my Noteworthy Neighbors."