NEIGHBORS : Marriage Magic : A husband and wife both place in a Northern California illusionists’ competition.

There’s still some magic left in the relationship of husband and wife Jim Spencer and Shirley Lorraine.

Lots of magic, actually.

A couple of weeks ago, both placed second in separate events at the Pacific Coast Assn. of Magicians’ competition in Northern California.

“I did a routine where I produce live goldfish,” said Spencer, who makes his living as a trial lawyer. “And I cause cards to penetrate inflated ballons and drop inside them.”

Although his routine is a series of illusions, Lorraine’s is more of a story.

“She enters a room, which is clearly a bedroom, as a guest at a party,” Spencer said. “She proceeds as a cat burglar to take things.”

To avoid getting caught, Lorraine, the magician/thief, changes the stolen objects into other items.

The couple left Wednesday for another competition in Las Vegas.

Oxnard’s Steve Miller just picked up an Emmy for his work as host of the show “Doctor on Call,” which airs Sundays on television station KADY.

The award was presented by the Southwestern Area National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

Miller’s show, which will be 4 years old in August, features guest appearances by local physicians.

Because this is Miller’s first time as host of a TV show, he has witnessed a number of events that he never anticipated.

One he will never forget: “We were doing a show during our series of heart programs,” he said. “A man called up recognizing the symptoms we had on the screen and it turned out he was having a mild heart attack.”

One he would rather forget: “I had a doctor on the air; we had 45 seconds to go on the show and one of the camerawomen fainted. It wasn’t one of those slumps where her head slams against the concrete. It was one of those graceful faints. The camera started shaking. The stage director yelled, ‘Doctor!’ The doctor rips off his microphone and dashes to her aid.”

Those folks at the Conejo Valley Board of Realtors sure know how to get a journalist’s attention--with food.

The organization delivered a press kit promoting its annual “Christmas in July” food drive.

In the kit was a packet of Lipton’s Cup-A-Soup, an example of an appropriate donation.

The monthlong food drive will help MANNA, the Conejo Valley food bank. MANNA provides food to more than 390 people each week, up from 76 per week last year.

Things will hit full stride Saturday when a collection area will be set up at the Vons supermarket at 2725 Agoura Road, Westlake Village.

Last year, the group collected $3,300 worth of money and food.

Last week, Ventura County Life reported on local involvement with specialty produce, including baby fruits and veggies.

At least one local restaurateur voiced strong feelings against a certain tiny vegetable.

“Baby carrots, I hate,” said Marty Gay, co-owner of MK’s restaurant in Ojai.

Eh, what’s up doc?

“I’m on a campaign to eliminate them from the diet,” he said. “They’re a pain to prepare. . . . You can’t clean them properly. You certainly can’t clean them as well as a regular carrot.”