STREET SMART: A favorite joke among cyclists...

STREET SMART: A favorite joke among cyclists goes like this: There are two types of bike riders. Those who have fallen. And, those who will. . . . A common accident occurs when cars make a right turn, veering into a bike lane too early or without regard for bike riders (B1). “I’ve seen too many of them,” said Mike Cicchi, who lectures on bicycle safety at east county schools. He suggests that cyclists ride defensively: “Slow down and let the car get out of the way.”

STINKING BUSINESS: American trash disposal companies have joined a global competition to help Taiwan build garbage incinerators in a deal worth as much as $1 billion (D1). . . . The potential for profit has inspired a renewed waste disposal venture in Ventura County. Taconic Resources begins gathering signatures this week for a ballot initiative that would authorize a dump in Weldon Canyon. “There is an awful lot of money at stake here,” Ojai Councilwoman Nina Shelly said.

TONYA’S TALE: Just when you thought that it was safe to go back on the ice, NBC is set to come out with “Tonya and Nancy: The Inside Story.” The made-for-TV movie, scheduled to air April 30, features Thousand Oaks High grad Tisha Walker as the skating-double for the actress playing Harding. Walker, 19, an alternate to the 1992 Olympics who recently turned pro, resembles Tonya. “I have a blond pony tail and I’m short,” Walker said. Although actress Alexandra Powers does some skating, Walker said, “I do all of the jumps and spins.”

A FAIR THEME: With only four months to go before the Ferris wheel spins, Ventura County Fair officials have settled on a theme for this August’s event: “California Country.” The theme lends direction and sometimes inspiration to contestants assembling theme gardens, cakes and other entries. Contestants love this year’s concept because it is so wide open, fair promoter Teri Raley says. “The possibilities are endless: surfing with spurs on, a little kid hanging out at the beach in cowboy boots. . . .”