UPHILL CLIMB: The number of Ventura County...

UPHILL CLIMB: The number of Ventura County students with limited English skills has risen an average of about 1,200 students a year since 1990. . . . But state officials say there are only 289 fully certified bilingual teachers in the county. That makes for a 79-to-1 ratio of students to teachers. . . . The heartening news: Teachers in some districts are earning credentials that allow them to instruct non-English speakers without being fully bilingual. Still, said Kathleen Hawing of Ventura’s school district: “We’re encouraging teachers to go for the credentials.”

PUPPY LOVE: A Thousand Oaks family is fighting for the lives of their two Rottweilers, accused of harassing residents (B4). One of the dogs was purchased as a family Christmas gift last year. . . . County animal workers prohibit pet adoptions the two weeks before Christmas if the animal is intended as a gift. “It’s so nuts on Christmas Day,” said Kathy Jenks, head of animal regulation. “It’s just not a good time with all the commotion.” And experts warn: There’s a right way and a wrong way to find just the right cuddly canine (Life & Style, Page 3).

FETE OF FIRE: Hot dogs, pizza, hamburgers--a typical teen-ager’s diet. . . . But junk food is also standard fare for veteran politician Alex Fiore, who was roasted by fans and friends in honor of his 30 years on the Thousand Oaks City Council (B5). . . . The food at the good-natured party was almost as off-beat as the jokes.

POPULAR SCIENCE: Science-fiction writer Ray Bradbury will appear Sunday at Ventura’s Phantom Bookshop. . . . It will mark Bradbury’s second book-signing at the Main Street store. At a similar event a year ago, fans lined up with armloads of books for the prolific author’s signature, store owner John Anthony Miller said. “People just came in here with stacks of books,” he said. This year, fans will be restricted to three books--one of which must be purchased at the store.

Learning the Language Skills

Number of students with limited-English proficiency in Ventura County schools:

1994: 22,508

1993: 21,644

1992: 20,509

1991: 18,524

1990: 16,063

Source: State Department of Education