HELP WANTED: Since the Ventura County chapter...

HELP WANTED: Since the Ventura County chapter of the Red Cross began its fund-raising drive to aid Rwandan refugees six weeks ago, only one check has arrived . . . for $40. “Normally, the typical response to international emergencies is a few thousand dollars,” said chapter Director Brian E. Bolton. In part, he thinks, people feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the African crisis. “I compare it to all the people in Ventura County leaving and walking into Santa Barbara, and having no way to feed them,” Bolton said. Donations can be sent to Rwanda Relief c/o American Red Cross, P.O. Box 5850, Ventura, Calif. 93005-5850.

HOME IMPROVEMENT: Speaking of humanitarian efforts . . . about 30 Simi Valley residents recently returned from Bud, W. Va., where they helped repair the homes of needy families as part of the Appalachian Service Project. The group of volunteers, ranging in age from 13 to 74, raised $29,000 to pay their own expenses. They did everything from roof to plumbing repairs. Said one volunteer: “The goal of the project was to make homes warmer, safer and drier.”

OFF THE AIR: KDSK is Ventura County’s only public access radio station. And its days are numbered (B6) . . . . Ventura County Cablevision, which transmits the station’s programming, has decided to pull the plug on KDSK. . . . During its 10-year run, the nonprofit station has given many would-be disc jockeys a chance to ride the airwaves for free. Said disc-jockey Derek Underhill: “It’s a small-town radio station with a small-town feeling. It would be a shame to let it die.”

PAYING TRIBUTE: In memory of her late son, Richard, Carolyn Adams purchased for $100 an inscription on a plaque at the Ventura Pier (B1) . . . . Money collected from inscriptions continues to trickle in for a fund to keep the pier in good repair. “When you have someone and you love them and you lose them,” said Adams, “the worst fear you have is that people will forget about him.”