Photos by Gretchen Macchiarella / Star staff Judges sample red chili entries at the Conejo Valley Days Chili Cook-off, left. The winner goes on to an international competition. At right, Jason Love waves from the passenger side on the landing pad at Santa Barbara Airport.

Canned was somehow able to get on a helicopter. Here, Jason Love waves from the passanger side, right, on the landing pad at Santa Barbara Airport.

When someone calls and says, "Do you want to get on a helicopter?" the answer is, "Yes." Even if said helicopter is leaving in 20 minutes.

The adventures that go into "Canned," the humor show posted on www.Studio805.tv, are judged somewhat on feasibility. This was not the case when my co-host, Jason Love, dropped this note into the can: "Get on a helicopter under any pretense."

I wasn't sure I could pull it off, but an acquaintance of Jason's asked if we would like to join him for a quick trip to Santa Barbara for lunch. He was our fairy helicopter pilot.

Can I say that wishes do come true, or does Disney have that trademarked?

Our shy pilot asked that he not be named, but he was a gracious host, happy to zip us 500 feet above my house and several local landmarks, then for an easy pass above the rolling hills of west Ventura County.

Our chariot was bright yellow and marked with the insignia of the pilot's family charity, Lev to Lev, or "Heart to Heart" in Hebrew. The charity provides new items, from books and blankets to furniture and computers, for children in need.

Combined, the helicopter and the charity clearly point to a successful work life, but also to time well spent.

It was an amazing stroke of luck that we were able to pull this off at all, but the fact that flying in a helicopter feels like magic added to my amazement. The video on www.Studio805.tv captures all the amazing views afforded by the expansive windows. I could not capture the tingle that comes from banking left to look down at surfers waving to us high above.

If anyone ever asks you to ride in a helicopter, answer, "Yes."

A different sort of dream was fulfilled at the annual Conejo Valley Days Chili Cook-off last weekend.

Thirty-three cooks entered the red chili contest, an officially sanctioned event of the International Chili Society. The winner has the opportunity to compete at the international competition, along with the winners for the green chili and salsa contests.

Local chili cook Paul LaRoche, a 20-year veteran of cook-offs, took home the top prize. He has made it to the big competition before, but this was his first time winning at the Conejo Valley cook-off, on home turf.

On www.Studio805.tv, LaRoche walks us through what makes a great chili — except his one secret ingredient, of course.

Many of the vats of chili tasted by visitors were produced by first-timers and those out just for the fun of cooking. If it looks like fun, you have one year to perfect your recipe.

The main, carnival portion of Conejo Valley Days runs through the weekend at Conejo Creek Park South, on Janss Road at Highway 23. Details are available at http://www.conejovalleydays.org.

Break out your sunscreen. This is just the start of festival season.

The Strawberry Festival in Oxnard is just around the corner.

In July, the one closest to my heart, the Oxnard Salsa Festival, will bring back the spicy food and warm weather. Simi Valley Days arrives in September.

See you out there.