NEIGHBORS / SHORT TAKES : Regional Gems : When 1993’s Miss California U.S.A. was named, the ring she won was designed by Ventura County’s Tania Cole.

Psst. Here’s some juicy gossip.

Want to know how much the diamond ring awarded to 1993’s Miss California U.S.A. is worth? How does $1,600 grab you? Yep, $1,600. What do you think of that?

At least one Ventura County resident thinks that it’s just wonderful.

Tania Cole, owner of Gold Plus Jewelers in Port Hueneme and Camarillo, designed the ring and now has a contract with the Miss California U.S.A., Mrs. California U.S.A. and Miss Teen California U.S.A. pageants.

Miss California U.S.A. 1993, Jane Olvera, had the ring placed on her right ring finger on Oct. 24 just one month after Gold Plus was named the pageant’s official jeweler. “The ring is shaped like a crown and studded in diamonds,” Cole said. “I went through six designs before I finally said, ‘This is the one.’ It took hours and hours and weeks.”

Cole doesn’t know if she’ll delve further into the world of beauty queens, but she did leave open that possibility. “I saw what Miss USA was wearing and said, ‘I can do better than that.’ ”

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Speaking of jewelry, certain pieces will be among the items available to couch potatoes Saturday through the Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce’s holiday home shopping program. From 6 to 7 p.m., on Ventura County Cablevision Channel 8, 25 Conejo Valley merchants will offer 30 products at reduced prices.

The idea is to raise money for the chamber, to get shoppers discounted merchandise, and to get them into the store. “People who order products from the TV show have to come to the store and pick it up,” said organizer Kathi Patterson.

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Has anyone noticed how prominent Ventura County residents have become in the National Hot Rod Assn.?

Earlier this month, Moorpark’s Cruz Pedregon, a rookie driver sponsored by McDonald’s, finished first in the NHRA’s fuel funny car division for 1992. Pedregon won the title about the same time that Oxnard’s Sterling Taylor was representing the United States at the USA Drag Festival in Japan.

And Taylor didn’t do so badly himself, finishing third out of a field of four American racers and 10 Japanese racers.

“For the first time in my life,” said Taylor, “I got to stand on the champion podium, pop the champagne cork, and squirt everybody down.”

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Ojai storyteller Jim Cogan will appear on TV for the first time Friday, as a guest book reader on a taped episode of the Los Angeles Public Television station KCET (Channel 28) show “Storytime.”

If you’re surprised to hear that, you’re not alone. Cogan, himself, wasn’t entirely convinced that a taped reading would succeed. He’s used to doing his thing in front of live audiences.

“You know, it works,” Cogan said following the taping which, by the way, was done in front of a live group. “I never would have admitted that.”

Cogan said “Storytime” attempts to show parents the importance of reading to their kids as opposed to spending that quality time at other activities--like watching television. “It’s the first television show,” he said, “where the message is, ‘don’t watch us.’ ”

Friday’s episode will air at 11:30 a.m. and again at 4 p.m. It will also be shown Sunday at 9 a.m.