CAMARILLO : Media Shtick Still a Kick for Gypsy Boots

It is 9 in the morning in a mall parking lot in Camarillo and Gypsy Boots is already up to his usual antics.

The peripatetic media hound is standing on his head and shouting, literally shouting, for attention.

“Watch this,” he says, jumping up and throwing a pigskin 50 yards with impressive accuracy. “Not bad for an 85-year-old. Just like Joe Montana.”

Actually, Boots--born Robert Bootzin--is still just 84 years old. But he does throw a mean pass.

His birthday is today, and he will celebrate it from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Seaside Banana Gardens in La Conchita. Which is why he is here doing back flips--he wants everyone to come to his party. Just like last year, and the year before.

It’s a dubious news story but hard to resist. Boots is relentless in his pursuit of media coverage.

He calls and calls and calls and flatters as well.

When a reporter actually shows up, Boots’ synapses shed sparks.

“I crave media attention, I crave fruit,” Boots said. “And I have a message for everyone: Don’t panic, go organic. Eat Kyolic [an odorless form of garlic], nuts and fruits. And be happy.”

That’s another thing. Boots has this thing for fruit. Especially dates. Garlic is another favorite snack.

He’s the original nature boy. His first of three books was titled “Barefoot and Good Things to Eat.” He even has a van with a wacky personalized paint job.

And by his own accounts, he’s been everywhere and met everyone.

“I’m a living legend,” he said. “And I’m an entertainer.”

He is famous for his antics at Raiders games, he was on the Steve Allen show, toured the country with his band called Gypsy Boots and the Hairy Hoots, performed with Spike Jones, was in several movies that never saw the light of day, and played tennis with Charlton Heston, Pat Boone and O.J. Simpson . . .

O.J.?

“People are only an enemy to themselves,” Boots said, oddly embarrassed that he ever knew the guy. Talking about O.J. actually makes the rabid exhibitionist uncomfortable.

He would rather talk about Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead, who died Tuesday.

“He should have listened to me. I told him to eat more Kyolic, fresh fruits and dates.”

But more importantly, Boots would rather talk about his big, big party at the banana grove. He has already passed out hundreds of flyers.

“I like an audience,” Boots said.

That, and fruit.

“Wherever you find a TV camera or a fruit tree . . . you’ll find Gypsy Boots.”