Ojai Poolside Lures a Few Novel Readers and One ‘Golden Girl’ : Estelle Getty of television fame joins others at spa for a little outdoor reading.

During my three-day sojourn at the Oaks in Ojai last week, I played my usual spa game--finding out what people are reading. Here’s a sampling: “Degree of Guilt,” Richard North Patterson’s intriguing courtroom novel, captivated a woman who read it at poolside every day. Other titles avidly pored over were “Lovers” by Judith Krantz; “The Longings of Women,” a novel by Marge Piercy; “Abby Aldrich Rockefeller: The Woman in the Family” by Bernice Kert, and “Dead in the Water,” an Amanda Hazard mystery by Connie Feddersen. An assemblywoman from New Jersey was deep into “The Cinderella Complex,” written 13 years ago by Colette Dowling.

The small, slender lady reading “Letters to My Husband” by television director/producer Fern Field Brooks turned out to be Estelle Getty of “Golden Girls” fame. We talked about writing and her career in movies and television. “It’s talent, timing, staying true and being tough,” she said, flashing her famous wicked, winning smile.

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Paul Bishop of Camarillo, a 17-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department and author of the best-selling “Citadel Run” and the just released “Darling, Kill Me Again,” will conduct a one-day seminar on how to achieve authenticity in mystery thrillers. Bishop’s “Scene of the Crime: A Writer’s Guide to Police Procedures and Investigative Techniques” will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday at Learning Tree University, 20920 Knapp St., Chatsworth. The fee is $39. Call 497-2292 or (818) 882-5599 for details.

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The Friends of the Oxnard Library have gathered thousands of books, including first editions, local history collectibles and reference books, for the group’s spring sale and silent auction scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the library, 251 S. A St. Collectors of movie memorabilia will have a chance to bid on a series of letters written by Burt Reynolds to a former teacher detailing his struggle to make it as an actor. Call Jessica Graham-Montrose at 985-2089 for information on other rare items available at the silent auction and book sale.

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The Conejo Valley Genealogical Society will hold a garage sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 1116 Rexford Place, Thousand Oaks. Proceeds will be used for genealogy resources and equipment at the Newbury Park Library. Call Emma Lee Price at 497-8293 for details.

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Former newspaper editor Bruce Cook will sign “The Sidewalk Hilton,” his fourth book featuring detective Chico Cervantes, at 1 p.m. Saturday at Mysteries to Die For, 2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks.