FERTILE FIELD: Hoping to learn more about...

FERTILE FIELD: Hoping to learn more about farm labor needs, U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly and Rep. Lamar Smith, who heads the congressional subcommittee on immigration, toured a Saticoy lemon-and-avocado ranch Friday (B1). . . . The tour was aimed at assessing agricultural labor needs and the potential effect of pending immigration legislation. Tom Pecht, owner of the ranch, said many people are unwilling to pick crops because it’s tough work. . . . “Anyone who says lemon picking isn’t hard work hasn’t done it,” he said.

OVERBOOKED: Dolores (DeDe Bennett) Taylor, Ventura County hydrologist, was the only woman in the Ventura College engineering department back in 1955, when the college moved off a high school campus to the present site (B1). . . . But no one offered to carry any of her heavy science books or lab manuals. . . . “I was just one of the guys,” she recalled. “I had a wonderful time.”

WATER WORLD: In the 25 years that the Buenaventura Swim Club has hosted its annual swim meet, George and Dorothy Graham have never missed it. After all, it is named after their son. . . . David Bruce Graham was a charter member of the swim club and a 1966 graduate of Buena High. He died in the Vietnam War at the age of 20. . . . “It brings back a lot of good memories,” said George Graham of the two-day meet, which starts today at Ventura High. “We like going and everybody is so nice to us.”

STAR TREATMENT: Veteran actor Davin Carey will be at the center of attention today during a screening of the movie “Three Wishes” at the Mann Buenaventura Theatre. Not bad for a 10-year-old. . . . Davin appears throughout the film, which stars Patrick Swayze. And while this marks his big-screen debut, he has been acting for eight years, appearing in commercials, a video series and a Fox sitcom. . . . “I’m proud of him,” said his mom and manager, Gayle Carey of Ventura. “He likes what he does and he’s good at it.”