This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Civil War Buff to Play US Grant on the History Channel

Ken Serfass heads to Los Angeles to play his hero. Another local actor plays a romantic suitor. And Ramona Community School highlights a student who plays ball and the guitar.

Ken Serfass is off again to the Civil War but this time it is to portray his childhood hero, General U.S. Grant. Ken was contacted by a producer from the History Channel for a documentary being filmed on Civil War generals Lee, Sherman and Grant. 

"U.S. Grant has been a personal hero of mine since third grade, so this is some sort of lifelong ambition being realized for me," Ken said. "I could only be happier if I was hired to play Captain Kirk on some movie project. 

"I have a full bookcase of books on Grant, including the biography on which I wrote a book report in third grade, starting my fascination with the Civil War period."

Find out what's happening in Ramonawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Ken, who travels to Los Angeles this week for the filming, will provide his own uniforms for portraying Grant and will also take along some popular props for which the general was well known. Cigars! 

Ken has been an extra on other television programs and in one movie, but this is the first time he will have a prominent role of a Civil War figure. Ken is the bandmaster for the Ramona Town Hall Brass Band and often participates with the band in Civil War re-enactments.

Find out what's happening in Ramonawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

*****

Local resident and actor Joe Solazzo has a leading role in the romantic comedy, "Skin Deep," now in production at PowPAC, Poway's Community Theatre. Joe plays the suitor in a middle-aged romance story and comes across as a lovable character. The play continues weekends through March 27. 

Joe has been in earlier PowPAC productions, including "Fuddy Meers" for which he was nominated for an award with the community theater. He also has appeared in Scripps Ranch Theater productions of "The Shadow Box" and "Scapino." In addition, he was in the Actors Festival production of "Breakfast for Dinner" and was in two Young Playwrights projects, "What All School Children Learn" with director Ann Tran and "The Courier" with director Stephen Metcalf. When not acting, Joe is a crime prevention  specialist with the Santee  Sheriff's Department.

*****

Our student spotlight this week shines on Shawn McClure, a fifth-grader at the Montessori Academy at Ramona Community School. He plays basketball with the Boys & Girls Club. His team, the Aztecs, won the regular season championship. Currently, Shawn is a member of the Orioles baseball team with Ramona Baseball League. 

Shawn says he enjoys school and is especially interested in science and math. He appreciates that he can make academic choices at school. When his work is finished, he often chooses to explore interesting science topics. 

Shawn recently began playing acoustic guitar and likes country and pop music. He has great fun participating in class plays and is active in the school's after-school drama program.

One of Shawn's desires is to see a Broadway show in New York City. Another of his wishes is to go on a cruise. Anywhere!

*****

Would you like to see someone highlighted in this column? Email talkoframona@yahoo.com.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?