Good genes. That/s what Birdie Patterson credits for her long, healthy life.

"My mother was 104 when she died and my father was 87," the spry 94-year-old said.

Patterson, a resident of Arbor View Retirement Community, is one of about 100 Santa Maria Valley nonagenarians to be honored at a celebration of life luncheon. Only those 90 years old or older are invited to the event.

The event, co-sponsored by the city of Santa Maria and the Santa Barbara Foundation, will begin at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 18 at the Santa Maria Elks Lodge, 1309 N. Bradley Road.

Patterson, who has outlived her family and many of her friends, said she is excited to attend the luncheon.

"I just think it/s nice for everyone to get together," she said. "It/s a great idea."

Patterson moved to Santa Maria after her husband, a pilot, retired from American Airlines in 1981 7 he later died in 1995. She said the small town atmosphere and quiet living appealed to the couple, who were leaving the fast-paced Southern California lifestyle.

At 94 years young, Patterson says she doesn/t feel her age that often. She still drives her Mercury around town 7 although traffic now moves too fast for her liking 7 and she enjoys spending time with her new friend Les Brownlee, another Arbor View resident.

The two frequently go to Santa Ynez to try their luck at the Chumash Casino/s blackjack tables 7 where Patterson says she usually does pretty well.

"It/s fun to go, even if you lose," she joked. "The best way to play is to make ,200 and lose ,100."

Patterson says she is exceedingly happy with her new relationship.

She met 84 year-old Brownlee at Arbor View.

"He saw me in the dining room one night and said, /I want to meet her,/" Patterson explained. "And then we played poker a couple of times with this group we have, and then he asked me out and that was it."

The two went to one their favorite restaurants, Central City Broiler.

Patterson says relationships later in life are better than those from youth. She says at an older age there is more to talk about and each person has more informed things to say.

"I just can/t say enough nice things about this," Patterson said. "I think it/s better when you are older, really."

In her younger years, Patterson said, she enjoyed traveling the world. Since her late husband was a pilot she was able to fly with him to Europe and the far east.

"It was first class all the way," she said about flying on a plane when you are the pilot/s wife.

"I lived it up," she said jokingly.

In addition to jetting off to faraway places, Patterson enjoyed an exciting home life. She volunteered with various hospitals, and had many famous neighbors and friends when she lived in Pacific Palisades.

"We lived next door to Robert Taylor, the actor, then Ronald Reagan lived right behind us. That was before he was governor," she said. "He and I used to vote together. He would say, /Birdie, I hope you/re Republican,/ and I would say, /Sure./ "

She added that Gregory Peck lived across the street and Jerry Lewis also lived in the neighborhood.

All in all, looking back at her long life and into the future, Patterson said she is getting along fine and looks forward to February and her 95th birthday.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE LUNCHEON:

Organizers said they hope the celebration of life luncheon, which corresponds the city/s centennial celebration, will be an annual event.

Anyone wishing to attend the event needs to RSVP by Friday to the Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department at 925-0951, Ext. 207, or to the Santa Barbara Foundation at 346-6123. Seating is limited.

The chicken lunch is free for those over 90 years old and one guest. Additional guests will cost ,10.

The luncheon will feature entertainment by the Silver Tones, a seniors singing group who will lead a sing along and the Senior Strutters, a women/s dance troop, said Kathy Simas, affiliate coordinator with the Santa Barbara Foundation.

She noted that there will also be door prizes and a special recognition for individuals over 100 years old.

The event is modeled after a similar luncheon in Santa Barbara, said Raynette Cornejo, donor relations officer for Santa Barbara Foundation. At the Santa Barbara event they had around 180 people attend.

"The people loved it," she said. "They absolutely enjoyed being there."

So far, Simas says, the Santa Maria event has had a good response.

Nov. 11, 2004