Pass the BucketA report suggests county fire...

Pass the Bucket

A report suggests county fire officials use more volunteers to reduce overtime costs (B1), but one local chief says the idea is half baked. . . . “It’ll never work,” says Fillmore Fire Chief Pat Askren, “because the driving distances are too far” to be practical. In a town of 2 1/2 square miles, Askren says his 20 volunteers are all “within a minute’s drive” of the fire station.

Extended View

A temporary art exhibit on the third floor of Ventura City Hall has been so popular that it probably will be extended till the July 13 Art Walk. . . . More than 1,000 people so far have viewed the nearly 90 works, including paintings, sculptures and photos. “It’s an eclectic but very strong show,” says Jennifer Easton, program coordinator. The gallery is open noon to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Time Conflict

Yosely Cardenas had a good reason for not personally picking up a $4,000 scholarship last week; she was speaking at her high school graduation at the time (D7C). . . . Yosely, who spoke about never giving up on one’s dreams, says that representatives of the Ventura County Minority Business Group scholarship committee attended Fillmore High’s awards banquet a week earlier to make the presentation. “They were very considerate,” she says.

For Art’s Sake

Oxnard’s fine arts commission may be on the way out, but the city’s Performing Arts Foundation couldn’t be stronger (B5). . . . Andrew C. Voth, a foundation advisor, says the group’s fund-raising efforts should generate nearly $300,000 in donated artwork by summer. Other gifts are also welcome: “We’re also accepting stocks and bonds, real estate and personal property--anything tangible.”