LESSER LIGHTS: Candy canes are already hanging...

LESSER LIGHTS: Candy canes are already hanging from light poles in Santa Paula. Garlands will soon be strung across downtown Fillmore. And Ventura’s downtown is festooned with banners and lighted trees. . . . But several Ventura County cities say “Bah, humbug” to decorations. “We can’t afford it anymore,” said Karen Jackson at Port Hueneme City Hall. . . . One of the county’s most popular light shows--those outrageously decorated houses on Teloma Drive in Ventura--starts Dec. 12.

PARADE SEASON: Speaking of holiday events, the Christmas parade season got under way Saturday in Santa Paula, with half a dozen to follow. This Saturday, marchers will step off in Fillmore, and on Dec. 11, you can hit parades in Camarillo, Oxnard and Channel Islands Harbor. Another boat parade is scheduled Dec. 18 in Ventura Harbor. . . . Although holiday events predominate, December offers plenty of other things to do. (The Month Ahead, B2)

BUSY KID: Scoring highest in Ventura County’s Academic Decathlon is only the latest achievement for Sommer Gentry of Thousand Oaks. She also serves on the city’s Youth Commission, tutors in math and science, and is student body secretary at Thousand Oaks High (B4). . . . Sommer’s secret: “I just don’t sleep very much.” . . . The decathlon gives “academics the same recognition as athletics,” said Steve Kingsford, the county’s assistant superintendent. And at the top school--Moorpark this year--a decathlon victory is big as a football championship, he said.

PAPER PRESENT: Here’s a gift idea you probably haven’t thought of: a fishing license. The state Department of Fish and Game is pushing licenses as “ideal, useful gifts” for under $25. . . . To spiff up the thin blue pieces of paper, the agency is providing an envelope decorated with pictures of ducks and fish--”very suitable for display under the Christmas tree,” the department says. . . . Starting next year, anglers have to wear fishing licenses. Reason: Up to 47% of the state’s anglers don’t have them.

Decked Out

Ventura County cities that put up holiday decorations: Camarillo Fillmore Ojai Oxnard Santa Paula Ventura *

Cities that don’t: Moorpark Port Hueneme Simi Valley Thousand Oaks Source: City officials