Proceeds will benefit the Central California Blood Center’s new bloodmobile fund

Saturday, January 19, 2008, High Noon
Clovis Rodeo Association Hall, 748 Rodeo Drive, Clovis, California

CLOVIS, CA – January 10, 2008 – The Clovis Rodeo Association (CRA) is kicking-off Rodeo season with early bird ticket sales at Cowgirl U. beginning at “High Noon” Saturday, January 19. Four hundred lucky cowgirls, or would-be cowgirls, will be hosted by the CRA at the fundraising luncheon. Attendees, dressed in western finery, will have the opportunity to meet special guests from the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) and the Professional Rodeo Cowboy’s Association (PRCA), learn all about rodeo and animal safety from the Clovis Rodeo Association Board, and sample what cowgirls drink (including sarsaparilla, beers and wines), what cowgirls eat (award-winning beef, chili, cowgirl cobbler and cowgirl coffee), what cowgirls wear (a fashion show will include Western wear and “city-slicker” clothing) and what cowgirls like to buy. Live and silent auction items will include both Western and non-Western art, entertainment and travel surprises.

“We are very pleased to have Ben Costello, author of Gunsmoke: An American Institution, (www.50YearsofGunsmoke.com) join us for a private signing and book sale at the Cowgirl U Luncheon,” states Mark Thompson, President of the Clovis Rodeo Association and event sponsor. “Gunsmoke was one of the classic westerns of all time and having this special opportunity to meet Ben and be one of the first to purchase an autographed book will only add to the afternoon’s cowgirl experience.” Partial proceeds from the book sales will also benefit the Central California Blood Center New Blood Mobile Fund.

The 94th Annual Clovis Rodeo will begin on Thursday, April 24, 2008. For tickets and information, call 559-299-5203 or log on to www.clovisrodeo.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the Clovis Rodeo Grounds at 748 Rodeo Drive, Clovis, California.

The Cowgirl U Luncheon is being made possible by Bank of the West, Harris Ranch Beef Company, Pardini’s Catering, Warner Company Jewelers, National Raisin Company, Doncaster, Broken Arrow Western Wear and Fresno Grand Opera.

The Central California Blood Center is the sole provider of blood and blood products for the 31 hospitals in Fresno, Tulare, Madera, Kings and Mariposa counties and must collect at least 5,000 to 6,000 pints of blood each month to meet the needs of patients in Valley hospitals.

For table or single-ticket purchases for the Cowgirl U Luncheon, please contact Chris Sorensen at (559) 224-2900, ext. 3005. To schedule interviews with Ben Costello, please contact Patty Lavelle, publicist, at 402-523-6403 or email plavelle@stewireless.com.