PEROT WATCHERS: Ross Perot received 27% of...

PEROT WATCHERS: Ross Perot received 27% of the vote in Ventura County last year. Tonight, his local followers will be tuning in to Perot’s debate with Vice President Al Gore on the North American Free Trade Agreement (A1). . . . “This is something we’re really looking forward to,” said Jolene Paris of the Conejo Valley chapter of United We Stand, America. “I’m having friends over to watch it.” To nobody’s surprise, Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley) says he’ll vote against NAFTA (B5).

UNSAFE HAVEN: Ventura County’s Sespe Condor Sanctuary was established in 1947 to protect endangered California condors. Some sanctuary: Half of the eight birds released there have had fatal encounters with nearby power lines or puddles of antifreeze. . . . So condor conservators are relocating the remaining wild birds to safer skies in Santa Barbara County (B1). . . . Even so, biologist Jennifer Gibson expects that someday, condors will glide back to the 83-square-mile refuge--chosen for its condor-friendly cliffs, caves and streams. “They’ll be back,” she said.

STILL SMILING: Five years ago, Nina Shelley helped start the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy. On Saturday, she’ll receive its Citizen of the Year award for working to preserve the area’s beauty. . . . An Ojai councilwoman for 11 years, Shelley was one of the first female Marines. In between, she and her late husband had a peel-off sticker business. One of their products, she said, was the yellow smily faces that became a ‘70s icon.

DEFUNCT BANKS: Gibraltar Savings was once the nation’s 10th-largest savings and loan, employing 800 people in Simi Valley. But when bad investments left it insolvent, hundreds were abruptly laid off. . . . Now a suit filed by 250 workers has been settled (Valley Business, Page 10). . . . In the case of a defunct bank in Thousand Oaks, trial looms for two top officials of United Community Bank (B7). Phillip L. Chase and Olen B. Phillips are accused of filing false statements and misusing funds.