GIVING SHELTER: The number of people looking...

GIVING SHELTER: The number of people looking for a hot meal and a warm place to sleep at Oxnard’s emergency warming shelter has surged in the wake of an early cold snap. . . . Since the center opened on Nov. 21, “we are breaking records we aren’t anxious to see broken,” said Executive Director Brian Bolton. . . . The shelter opens its doors when temperatures drop below 40 degrees on cloudless days, and below 50 when the chance of rain is at least 50%. The shelter will be in operation through March 15, and workers expect to help a record number of people.

LIGHTS OUT: They twinkle at passersby, adding a festive air to the season. . . . But those fanciful Christmas lights can lead to a big shock when the January electric bill arrives. To save energy, utility companies warned customers to keep ostentation to a minimum and turn off lights before midnight or 1 a.m. “There are not a lot of folks out viewing them in the evening anyway,” said Edison spokesman Mike Montoya.

BODY COUNT: The random violence that characterized an increasing number of murder cases nationwide in 1994 was mirrored in Ventura County: More victims died at the hands of strangers (B1). . . . Gang-related crime was partly to blame, authorities said. While some of the county’s murders were solved quickly, others are under investigation or remain complete mysteries.

QUIET, PLEASE: If you’re thinking of ringing in the New Year with a noisy celebration, you might first take a few minutes for quiet reflection. . . . A good place to do that is Camarillo’s Positive Learning Center, which is hosting a service featuring meditation and music starting at 3 a.m. on Dec. 31 at 221 Daily Drive. The pre-dawn timing coincides with noon Greenwich time. “At that exact time, people all over the world will be (meditating),” said musician Kevin Parcher, who will perform at the Camarillo ceremony. Leave your noisemakers at home.

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In From the Cold

A growing need at the Red Cross emergency warming shelter in Oxnard:

‘93-94 ‘94-95 Days open before Dec. 15 11 18 Individuals served 171 285 Meals served 1,096 2,229 Number of volunteers 52 123

Source: American Red Cross, Ventura County chapter