LABOR OF LOVE: Margot Martin never lost...

LABOR OF LOVE: Margot Martin never lost a child to sudden infant death syndrome, but in her work as a Ventura County deputy coroner, she met too many people who did. So Martin, who retired from the coroner’s office nine years ago, now helps the SIDS Foundation of Southern California offer support and education to parents. . . . One precaution all parents can take, Martin says, is to put children to bed on their backs: “The Back to Sleep program works.” . . . The foundation invites relatives to remember SIDS victims at 3 p.m. Sunday in a candlelight service at the Ventura Townehouse.

NARROWING THE GAP: Senior Kim Mortensen of Thousand Oaks High and sophomore Elaine Canchola of Nordhoff in Ojai will renew their rivalry in today’s regional cross-country meet in Fresno (C17) . . . Mortensen, regarded as the second-best high school runner in the nation, defeated Canchola by 46 seconds in the Ventura County championships five weeks ago, but Canchola narrowed the deficit to 11 seconds last week. . . . Both are expected to place among the top eight today, advancing them to the national championships.

NEW KID IN COURT: When Ventura County public defenders walked off the job Friday to protest an impasse in their union’s negotiations with the county over salaries (B1), some new faces replaced them. . . . It was the first time in a misdemeanor courtroom since 1969 for top defender Kenneth Clayman, who was pressed into service alongside two deputies. “It was really fun,” Clayman said. “I miss the attorney-client relationship.”

DECK THE DOGS: Santa will be on hand at the Humane Society in Ojai from noon to 3 today and the next two Saturdays to have his picture taken with Fido, Tabby and their human friends. . . . The fund-raiser usually draws lots of participants, says society President Joyce George, who suggests that anyone thinking of giving a pet as a holiday gift purchase a society gift certificate. “People should really pick out their own pets,” she said.