YOUNGSTERS WARM UP TO DONATED TIME ON ICE RINK.

Byline: Lisa Mascaro Daily News Staff Writer

Ten-year-old Ana took one look at the ice-skating rink outside the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza on Monday afternoon and knew this was not your standard day on skates.

Like many of the children bundled up and wobbling on blades, she had never been ice skating before, but headed toward the rink, ready to give a slide across the ice a try.

``I think it'll be slippery,'' she said, shortly before gliding onto the ice with her cousin Felipe, 7, not too far behind.

About 30 children from Many Mansions, a low-income housing provider in Thousand Oaks, skated through the afternoon Monday, thanks to a donation from two area families.

The gift was made in memory of Otto Stoll, a Thousand Oaks housing activist who died from heart problems earlier this year at the age of 51.

``We want all economic levels to be able to experience this,'' said Mardy Medders, director of development for the Alliance for the Arts, which sponsored the city ice-skating rink. Her family, and civic leaders Roberta and Dave Walski donated the day's gift.

``We want to be sure all ages, all stages were involved,'' she said.

This is the first year the alliance has sponsored the outdoor rink, a small square of ice adjacent to the Civic Arts Plaza, where skaters glide across the machine-made ice as holiday music rings out from loud speakers.

On a cold Monday afternoon, where temperatures dipped to what felt like possibly snowy conditions, children laced up their boots, pulled on their hats and waited patiently for their ice time to begin.

But for Sylvia, 8, and Jackie, 9, and their group of friends, the first order of business was learning how to stand up straight on the blades.

``I know how to skate, but not on the ice,'' said Sylvia, drawing nods of agreement from her friends.

``This is our first time,'' explained Jackie.

Their take on the situation, 10-year-old Melissa explained, was simple: ``It's fun.''