NEIGHBORS / SHORT TAKES : Disposable Art : Artist Kim Loucks took her totem poles made of trash to school so students could learn about recyclables.

Last week, Ventura artist Kim Loucks put the finishing touches on a project she began nearly two years ago. How did she do it? She disposed of it.

Loucks, if you remember, is the artist who created totem poles made of trash. Well, last week she brought two of the works--a 153-pound totem and a 200-plus-pounder--to Elmhurst Elementary School in Ventura, where fifth-graders helped her separate recyclables from the garbage.

“It was in the true spirit of what I set out to do,” she said. “I set out to educate with this project. At points I got a little disillusioned with the reactions of adults, but a lot of kids were really turned on by the program.”

A call has gone out to people who have pets buried at the Santa Barbara Pet Cemetery. The cemetery, founded in 1978, sits on the Summit Ranch property off California 154 in Santa Barbara. In early April, the owners of the ranch notified some pet owners that as of April 30 they would no longer be allowed to visit their animals. That date was extended and the two sides are negotiating a compromise. The owners, who have declined comment, plan to sell the ranch.

Carol Hoffine, whose silky terrier named Luv is buried at the site, said most of the owners don’t know about the situation, so she and others are trying to track them down. She said Ventura County residents may have animals buried there.

“It’s so close by,” she said. “There’s a good chance.”

Hoffine said the pet owners also hope to find a buyer for the ranch--one who will maintain the cemetery. “At the very least,” she said, “we want not to lose access to the grave sites of our pets.” If you have a pet buried at the cemetery call Manina Austin at 684-7734.

Those planning to go to the “Mister Bob and the Crayon Sky” family concert at Mission Park Friday night, should be aware of something: People from the Crayon Sky wear two different color shoes.

Honest.

“The unique thing about me is that I am from the Crayon Sky and the great thing about everyone from the Crayon Sky is that they have two different color shoes,” said Bob (Mister Bob) Mills. “They are fuchsia and sky blue.”

Mills, who is working on his third children’s album, performs magic, does sign language, plays a variety of instruments, and sings--with the help of his audience.

“I’ll shake a cow bell, and we’ll all go moooooo together,” he said. “I play slide whistles. I play toys.” But, he said, he probably won’t play the nose flute this time around.

Speaking of instruments, a whole vehicle full of them will be heading to Topa Topa Elementary School in Ojai next Wednesday, courtesy of the Ojai Festivals Community Outreach program. (The vehicle is being billed as a music van, but we have it under good authority that it’s actually a music station wagon.)

Anyway, the program is a onetime trial-run to give third-grade students at the school a chance to learn about instruments up close. If all goes well, the van (or wagon) will visit third- and fourth-grade classes throughout Ojai next fall.

“It’s mainly to get kids familiar with the difference between an orchestra or a band or a rock group,” said Ginger Wilson, who is involved with the presentation. “We have about 12 instruments.”

Wilson helped with a similar program in conjunction with the Ventura County Symphony several years ago. She said children are always eager to learn about instruments.

“Most of them want a chance at the cymbals,” she said. “They’re a little bit afraid of the cello.”

Congratulations to members of the Channel Islands High School drill team. The seven girls finished first in the short flag competition in the 1992 Miss Dance Drill Team U.S.A. Pageant late last month. Barbara Santos, mother of team member Joy Santos, said the school has won 13 years in a row.

By winning, the team is eligible to compete in the international competition in Japan this summer.