Car club sponsors toy drive despite last minute relocation
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

Unexpected barriers didn't prevent the newly formed Ventura County Majestics Car Club chapter from hosting a toy drive to benefit local children last Sunday.

Although organizers had paid a deposit to reserve a portion of Arroyo Vista Community Park for the event, their plans were derailed when, several days prior, the Moorpark Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services revoked permission to use the facility. City leaders said the permit was withdrawn because organizers had increased the scope of the event without prior approval from the city.

Organizers didn't dispute that they made some mistakes and should have been clearer about their plans, but it was too late to cancel the entire event, said Rick Flores, one of three club members who live in Moorpark.

The Majestics stuck to their plan to host the event at Arroyo Vista despite the lack of a permit, but Flores learned on Saturday the city planned to shut down the access gates to the back parking lot of the large park before the next day's planned event.

"I think it was just discrimination to keep the gate closed; it's a public park," said Flores.

Even so, Flores and the other club members were determined to hold their toy drive. They managed to relocate the event to Oak Park, a public park in unincorporated Ventura County between Moorpark and Simi Valley south of the 118 Freeway.

Despite the late notice, the group obtained permission from county park staff.

As cars arrived for the event at the original Arroyo Vista site, they were directed to the new location without any problems, Flores said.

"Many people came from far away to attend the toy drive, which gathered 500 unwrapped toys for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation," he said.

Local residents representing all segments of the population also came to show their support, he said.

In addition to contributing to a good cause, visitors enjoyed food and fellowship with other car enthusiasts. About 60 custom low-rider vehicles were on site for viewing, but, in compliance with rules set by the county, Flores said, there was no hydraulic competition.

Representatives from the Ventura County Sheriff's Department and Simi Valley Police Department stopped by to check on the event and found everything in order, according to Flores.

Organizers handed out several awards in recognition of local benefactors including Diane Regan, who owns Up In Stitches.

"She donated many toys and supported the Majestics Club's endeavor," Flores said.

"They're a good bunch of guys and they're trying to shed their image," said Regan, a member of the Moorpark Rotary Club. While most lowrider enthusiasts are Hispanic and they like to jump their cars using hydraulics, they're not into fighting or getting in trouble, she said. They spend a lot of money on their cars and like to show them off, Regan added.

As for the city's shying away from having the event at Arroyo Vista Park, possibly out of concern there would be problems there, "To me that's a stereotyping," Regan said. The car club supports her business, she said, and she endorses its events.

A radio station based in Oxnard that provided entertainment and promotion for the event and a club member from Central California were also recognized.

On Monday, Flores and other Majestics Club members brought the gifts collected at their event to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, where another Marine Toys For Tots event was underway.

The local toy drive was an attempt to do something positive in the community, said Flores.

"We're just a bunch of people who are into cars and turn their cars into a piece of art." Flores has appeared in many music videos with his vehicles.

The experience with Moorpark representatives was frustrating to Flores, who said he plans to express his concerns to the City Council.

Majestics car clubs have chapters throughout the world, he added.