THANKLESS JOB: Investigators in the county medical...

THANKLESS JOB: Investigators in the county medical examiner’s office have many grim duties. Among the worst: notifying next of kin about a person’s death. . . . But this contact allows them to determine if families would permit the donation of tissues from their loved ones. The office has helped with so many donations, it has received special recognition from the American Red Cross. . . . “It’s a worthwhile program,” Medical Examiner Ronald L. O’Halloran said. “There are so many people waiting in line for organs, for corneas so they can see and skin tissue for burns.”

CURTAIN CALL: The grand opening of the Civic Arts Plaza in Thousand Oaks may still be three months away, but tickets for such shows as “The Nutcracker” and “Little Shop of Horrors” are already on sale (B4). . . . Said Mayor Alex Fiore, who was among those who stood in line Tuesday to purchase tickets for magician David Copperfield: “This is the beginning of a new experience for the residents of our city and adjacent cities.”

ON THE MOVE: It just got a little easier to get around Ventura County. . . . At least that’s the idea behind the county’s new VISTA bus service that began operating Tuesday (B1). . . . For the first time, VISTA provides service linking every city in the county--except Ojai. But Ojai residents shouldn’t feel slighted, transit official Mary Travis said. Their city already offers connecting bus service to Ventura.

TOUGH LUCK: Diane Evans of Simi Valley would like nothing better than to serve on the Ventura County Grand Jury. . . . The past two years, Evans has dutifully applied to sit on the panel that serves as government watchdog. Both times, she managed to make the first cut, which reduced the number of applicants to 30. But in each case, when the 19 jurors were selected by lottery, Evans’ name failed to come up. . . . “I guess I’m just unlucky,” said Evans, who as one of 11 alternates still has a shot at serving on the jury this year. If not, she said she will apply again next year. “I’m persistent.”