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'Whiskaroo Rick,' 'Rustlin' Jeremy' are CVD marshals
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More from Conejo ValleyIn the Conejo Valley Days' Grand Marshal Race for Charity, "Whiskaroo Rick" Herrera and "Rustlin' Jeremy" Ryan roped in the most money for their favorite charities to win the titles of Grand Marshal and Junior Grand Marshal.
Results were announced Friday night at the Goebel Senior Center in Thousand Oaks. Eagerly awaiting results were supporters of Herrera, Ryan, and the other two candidates, Marlon "Lone Star" Williams, who became Deputy Grand Marshal and Kyle "Chuckwagon" Ruda, tagged Deputy Junior Grand Marshal.
The marshals will make appearances at many of the events scheduled during the Conejo Valley Days community festival, Wednesday through May 4 at Conejo Creek Park South.
"All four candidates raised $21,324 for local charities," Kenneth J. Walker, CVD off-site chairman and executive committee member, wrote in an e-mail.
"With four candidates this is the best race we've had in recent years," said Marty Campbell, CVD chairwoman.
The Western-themed celebration harks back to the Conejo Valley's rancho and farming days. In previous decades, the amounts individuals raised were disclosed but not this year, officials decided. "We don't want to embarrass any one, it's the overall amount that's important," said Paul Campbell, 2002 Grand Marshal winner and host of Friday's ceremony.
Of the proceeds raised, 35 percent goes to the Conejo Valley Activities Corporation (the formal CVD organization) and the rest to causes designated by contenders who over a few weeks squeezed in many money-producing events.
They ranged from Herrera's "make a planter" workshop and Williams's dinners at restaurants, to Ryan's garage sales and Ruda's home-cooked meals.
Herrera, 62, designated Kiwanis Club of Thousand Oaks and Hospice of the Conejo for his charities; Williams, 30, Conejo Valley Neighborhood for Learning's Adopt-a-Future Program; Ryan, 14, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County; and Ruda, 15, Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times, for kids with cancer.
All four are expected to be introduced at today's Chili Cook-off, 10 a.m., to 4 p.m. at Conejo Creek South.
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