Clown’s Biography Looks Back at Happy Days of Hollywood : Mildred Runyon writes affectionately about her husband’s years as a TV personality in the ‘50s.

Three books have hit my desk recently, written by local authors or containing chapters about Ventura County.

An oddly titled biography, “Are Clowns Hatched?” by Mildred Runyon, is based on the life of her husband Charles (Chucko the Birthday Clown) Runyon. The world of clowning, Chucko’s years as a television personality in the 1950s and their involvement with the famous Jungleland, “Home of Animal Stars” in Thousand Oaks, are lovingly remembered. Lots of photographs in the book bring back memories of the early days of television in Hollywood.

“Common Voices Other Lives,” an anthology of gay and lesbian writings and art, has just been released by Fithian Press of Santa Barbara. Edited by Jim Cook, the anthology features poetry, stories, art and photographs by Ventura and Santa Barbara residents.

The debate and propaganda around the health-care issue continues to escalate. Dr. Donald G. Lindsay of Ventura offers his own plan for quality medical care in his recently published book, “Medical Cost Crisis! A Solution Before It’s Too Late.” The guide is available at bookstores or by calling 800-345-0096.

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Therapist Geoff Buckley will deal with the emotional health of writers and artists in his talk on “The Moods, Magic and Madness of the Creative Personality” at tonight’s meeting of the National League of American Pen Women/Simi Valley Chapter. Buckley, who is an artist and Presbyterian minister, will explain how creative people can cope with periodic feelings of melancholy, isolation and despair. The event begins at 8 p.m. at 1756 Erringer Road, Simi Valley. The fee for guests is $5. Call 495-5816 for details.

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Book titles, like newspaper headlines, are written to catch the eye and draw in the reader. Anne Perry’s “The Hyde Park Headsman” is a good example. Perry will sign her book at noon Sunday at Mysteries to Die For, 2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks.

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The Gallery 9 Artists Cooperative is hosting author readings and signings from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at 29020 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills. Eve Caram, whose latest book is “Wintershine,” and Cathleen Long, former editor of the Sculpture Gardens Review, will read from their works. Both authors are published in numerous literary magazines. Call (818) 597-9629 for details.

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Read and recycle. The Friends of the Camarillo Library have put out a call for more donations for their April 9 and 10 used-book sale. Call Ralph Lovell at 482-5919 for details on where and how.