2006-2007 Orange Book: Internet Directory
Valley Center Optimist Club

Name an event where hard work is called for or a cause where youth are in need and there you will find the Valley Center Optimist Club. The club meets every Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. at the Valley Center Community Hall. (The 2nd Wednesday is just a board meeting.)

"Friend of Youth" is the motto of the local club.

One of the club's biggest causes is the "Just Say No to Drugs" program, which the Optimists, along with other service clubs in the Valley Center, help to fund with fund-raisers such as the Just Say No to Drugs dinner dance each March.

The Just Say No to Drugs money helps to fund the Just Say No Middle School Jazz Band, under the direction of Jeff Beck. This activity keeps kids off drugs by directing their energies toward music.

The Optimists have given special attention to the Community Center, where members have, over the years, installed irrigation lines, created the slab for the dance area, and built the very popular gazebo area, site of many parties, weddings and community events.

But the Optimists are also prominent in the organizing and doing the work for the annual Western Days celebration. They always enter a candidate in the festival's Honorary Mayor's race, and frequently win the contest. They did that this year, when candidate Rick Lopez was elected honorary mayor.

During the holiday season you will see the Optimist roasting wagon parked out front of Fat Ivor's Rib Rack, slow roasting turkeys and selling them to passers-by.

The club also sponsors an annual oratory contest and honors exceptional students at many of its meetings.

They are also prominent in youth sports, fielding the Optimist Girls' Softball League, which this year had five teams.

Questions about the Optimists? Call Larry Patten at (760)749-3069 or write PO Box 556, Valley Center, CA 92082.