Time to party at Mardi Gras Ball

Long time community volunteers Mike and Jean Mathews have been named King and Queen of the 2008 Mardi Gras Ball, a yearly fundraiser for Community Conscience/Under One Roof in Thousand Oaks. The ball will be at 6 p.m. Sat., Feb. 23 at the Hyatt Westlake Plaza.

The evening will begin with a cocktail hour, silent auction and music by the Riverboat Jazz Band, followed by dinner and dancing.

Auctioneer DJ Pete Demetriou will also conduct a Louisiana-style live auction. Live auction items include a week for up to six couples in a mansion in Manzanillo, Mexico; a chance to drive six of the world's most exotic cars; and the opportunity to be a fighter pilot for a day with an experienced jet fighter co-pilot.

The Mathews have volunteered for more than 10 years with Hospice of The Conejo. Both are past presidents of the group; Mike Mathews has held the post three times. Jean Mathews was general chair of the 2007 Conejo Valley Days and is a former president of the Conejo Soroptimist International.

Mike Mathews is a long-time member of the Kiwanis Club of Thousand Oaks and has also worked for CVD. He was the manager of Paul and Marty Campbell's campaign when they ran for CVD grand marshals in 2002, raising more than $60,000.

Tickets are $150 each. A table for 10 is $1,250. Proceeds will go towards repairs for the Community Conscience/Under One Roof building. The platinum sponsors are Los Robles Medical Center and F.B. Productions.

Mardi Gras costume or black tie is optional.

To purchase tickets or donate to the auction, call (805) 494-3543.