DRYING UP: Winter officially begins next week,...

DRYING UP: Winter officially begins next week, but that isn’t keeping Santa Paula officials from thinking about a warm-weather diversion: swimming. . . . School officials this week will decide the fate of the city’s only public pool, at Santa Paula High. At issue is whether to fund the outdoor facility--and the school’s swim team--at a cost of $30,000 a year, curtail programs or close the pool. . . . Donations have been few and far between. “If the board kills the program, we’d fill (the pool) in,” Supt. Bob Fisher said.

STILL WAITING: Despite the best-laid plans and years of hard work, Ventura County remains stymied in its efforts to snag a public four-year university (B1). . . . Holding on to a site for the much-hoped-for school has been a major problem. The momentum for the university may be flagging though. The county is sliding downward on a list of communities most in need of a state university.

A FEW GOOD LEADERS: The 93 members of the Vietnam Veterans of Ventura County are in the midst of their annual Toys for Tots drive, soliciting Christmas gifts for children at Camarillo State Hospital. . . . The group also sponsored the annual Veterans Day display of the traveling Vietnam Memorial wall. . . . The group is accepting nominations for new officers and board members for its annual election, scheduled Feb. 18. For information or to nominate a member, call Glynis Camacho at 646-5204.

STAMPING GROUNDS: Elvis, Jimi Hendrix or Janis Joplin? . . . Deciding whose face--or which image--is imprinted on U. S. postage stamps can be a tough job, but the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee is up to the task (E1). . . . While some dead rock stars have been rejected, Elvis Presley’s mug was deemed worthy to grace a stamp. The public also weighed in, voting to put a lean, young image of the pop idol on the stamp instead of a heftier, older version. . . . The committee meets next month to start another round of stamp selections.

In the Swim

Swimming pools--some at local high schools--are available for lessons during the summer in several Ventura County cities. Simi Valley and Camarillo also offer year-round programs. Simi Valley: 3 Camarillo: 2 Thousand Oaks: 2 Ojai: 1 Ventura: 1 Fillmore: 1 Oxnard: 1 Santa Paula: 1 Source: Cities and recreation districts