HOMEBUYING EASIER: Despite all the talk about...

HOMEBUYING EASIER: Despite all the talk about plunging real estate prices, Ventura County remains one of the least affordable areas for home buyers (D2). . . . But things are looking up: Two years ago, only four urban areas nationwide were less affordable than Ventura County. Now, it’s 18th from the bottom, out of 188 areas studied. A median-income family would be able to buy 51.7% of homes sold in recent months, up from 15.4%. . . . “A lot of people who couldn’t qualify in the past don’t realize things have changed,” said Bob Edward, president of the Oxnard-Harbor Assn. of Realtors.

LIBRARY FUND: Since the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library opened outside Simi Valley in 1991, admirers of the former President have been debating what to do next. Now they’ve announced plans to raise $20 million for exhibits and conferences at the library’s Center for Public Affairs (B4). . . . Republican contributors may face a tough decision on which ex-President to honor: On Jan. 20, the Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace in Yorba Linda will announce plans for a Center for Peace and Freedom.

BACK TO SCHOOL: After a 12% drop in fall enrollment, Ventura County community colleges added more than 80 classes to spring schedules to lure students back. The strategy seems to be working (B1). . . . It better succeed: If spring enrollment declines too much, the district could lose $1 million. . . . Classes start Jan. 18.

TWIN DEMAND: The story of Donald Anderson--the Ventura man who did three jail stints and military duty for his twin brother, Ronald--just might become a movie of the week. Donald Anderson has been deluged with calls from producers and talk-show hosts since the twins’ history of switching places came out last week. . . . “If it were both of us, we could do two shows at once,” he said. . . Brother Ronald, however, is serving a 14-year prison sentence, which for Donald takes some of the thrill out of their newfound notoriety. “All this fame and fortune, we should be sharing it together.”