CLUB SWEET ON SINGING VALENTINES : CHANNELAIRE CHORUS EXPANDS SERENADE.

Byline: Teresa Jimenez Daily News Staff Writer

Last Valentine's Day, members of the Channelaire Chorus choked up with tears as they watched a couple dance in the kitchen to their serenade. Then they went to an automotive garage, where employees armed themselves with a video camera as the women sang to a manly mechanic.

Meanwhile, another group from the chorus had to delay a performance at a veterinary office until after a customer's dog was put to sleep.

``We're seasoned performers, so we're used to this,'' said quartet member Peggy Hels, 48, of Ventura. ``But doing this, you never know what to expect.''

It was all in a Valentine's Day's work, and this year it will be more - a lot more - of the same. For $35, a quartet will travel just about anywhere in Ventura County with a special gift and a song for the object of someone's affection between Feb. 12 and 16. And for $15, they will sing a ballad over the phone to anyone in the United States.

The 10 quartets, which numbered only three last year, will go to homes, offices, restaurants, schools, hospitals and nursing homes day or night to raise money for their Sweet Adelines chapter, part of an international singing organization for women only.

These women, however, aren't the traditional Adelines, who are known for gingham dresses and old-fashioned tunes. They sing it all, from jazz and blues to show tunes and modern ballads. And though the women dress up, their costumes often involve tuxedos, football jerseys and barmaid outfits.

The groups offer two standards designed to pull heart strings - ``You Made Me Love You'' and ``As Time Goes By.'' On request, they will sing anything from ``Blue Moon'' to ``I've Got You Under My Skin.''

The Ventura County Sweet Adelines, known as the Channelaire Chorus, decided to do singing valentines for the first time last year after seeing the success of their male counterparts, a local barbershop harmony group.

The demand was so high in their first year - the quartets performed 15 to 20 times a day - the number was expanded. This time around, members are prepared for busy and long, but fun, days of singing.

Many of the women have jobs and families, but they've found a way to make time for Sweet Adelines.

``This is my total outlet and stress relief,'' said Linda Ragsdale, a 16-year member who fell in love with the organization after her first meeting. ``Somehow you find a way to fit it in. It just makes me feel better about myself and I do better at work, so my employer is supportive of it.''

Ragsdale and other members will be taking time off work for the fund-raiser, which will help pay for the organization's office in the Village Square Shopping Center in Camarillo. It will also help pay the salary for the organization's director, fees for guest music coaches and sheet music.

Many of the members had similar stories about how they ended up in the chorus. They had enjoyed singing in elementary school, high school or even college, but had stopped when they began working and raising a family.

When they saw the invitation to sing, they decided to give it a try - and they kept going after that.

Debbie Burd, 39, of Camarillo, said she saw an announcement inviting women to sing patriotic songs for the Fourth of July.

``I thought, `I really don't want to join Sweet Adelines. I just want to sing patriotic songs because I like that music.' And I've been there two and a half years,'' Burd said.

Though some members have a dedication that takes them to competitions around the country, others have only attended the practice sessions every Tuesday at the Camarillo office.

``It could be a full-time job if they only paid us,'' Hels said.

THE FACTS

reserve a singing valentine, call [phone]. Those interested in joining the chorus may attend a singing session, held from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Tuesdays, at Village Square Shopping Center, 2620 Las Posas Road, Camarillo.

CAPTION(S):

3 Photos, Box

Photo: (1--Ran in Conejo and Simi--color in Conejo only) Linda Ragsdale, from left, Bron Latta, Peggy Hels and Marie Hampton prepare for the Channelaire Chorus Valentine's Day fund-raiser.

(2--Ran in Conejo only--color) Marie Hampton practices her part of the routine for the upcoming valentine serenade.

(3--Ran in Conejo only) Lori Meyers, from left, Jeanine Brown, Patty Masingale and Debbie Burd get ready to present singing valentines with the local chapter of the Sweet Adelines singing group.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News

Box: (Ran in Conejo and Simi) THE FACTS (see text)