OXNARD HONOR: Oxnard has been named one...

OXNARD HONOR: Oxnard has been named one of 12 cities in the nation that have excelled at complying with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. . . . A panel appointed by the Justice Department and the U. S. Conference of Mayors chose the cities from among 130 across the country. Among the reasons Oxnard was singled out: providing disability awareness training to city employees and diligent enforcement of disabled parking laws.

HELPING THE HUNGRY: For the fortunate, getting a bounteous meal today is a pleasure to be counted on. . . . But many of the needy among us rely on organizations such as Meals on Wheels--which provides hot meals to Ventura County residents--not only today, but year-round (B1). . . . “Meals on Wheels is a gift from heaven for people like us,” said Aileene Jenson, 77, who lives with her husband in Ventura.

SHOP-O-RAMA: Precious holiday shopping time is slipping away. . . . But not to worry. There are lots of services available to help harried Ventura County residents prepare for the holidays, and there are tips that can save time and even money (Ventura County Life, Page 11). . . . Pressures of the season put some people in a very un-festive mood. Said Judith Sitko, a therapist in Ventura: “What I hear most about holiday stress is the guilt, the feeling of obligation.”

WORK IT OFF: You’ve eaten that heavy-duty meal, you’ve sat through that Thanksgiving movie or football game. . . . Now, it’s penance time. Where else to work off guilt--and extra calories--but at the gym? Celebrities have pricey personal trainers to whip them into shape (Calendar, F1), but for the rest of us, it’s do-it-yourself. For gym owners, this is a boom season. “We’ve had a lot of people coming in anticipating that Thanksgiving indulgence,” said Jill Hansen, wellness director at the Ventura YMCA. The biggest rush, however, is in January, during the frenzy of New Year’s resolutions.