Mystery writer to host meeting

Mystery writer Patricia Smiley, author of "False Profits," will be the featured speaker of the Ventura County Writers Club meeting at 7 p.m. Tues., March 8 at Borders Books, 125 Thousand Oaks Blvd. The event is free and open to the public.

For more information, please call Karen Gorback at (805) 496-6204.

The club is sponsoring a poetry contest open to all members and residents of Ventura County 18 years of age or older. Those interested may submit up to three poems in two categories: unpublished poets or published poets. Submission fees are $3 for club members and $4 for others. Entries must be postmarked no later than March 15.

For more information on the poetry contest, call Joyce La Mer at (805) 985-6336.