VENTURA COUNTY

Woman honors her father's tradition

Polly Gehr had read about The Star's annual Bellringer drive in the past but not donated to it.

That changed, however, when the Oak View woman recently found out that her late father, Jim Brennan of Ventura, never passed a Salvation Army bellringer on the street without giving a donation.

"I never knew until my mother mentioned it the other day," said Gehr, who donated $25 to The Star's drive for the first time. "It makes me proud, but it doesn't surprise me, because that's the kind of guy he was."

The Star's annual Bellringer drive will run through Christmas, with the newspaper publishing lists of readers' contributions. All money raised will be given to the Salvation Army to serve needy local people.

For a list of new donors and where to send contributions, see page B10.

VENTURA

Memorial planned for longtime teacher

Friends, students, colleagues and family members plan to celebrate the life of longtime teacher Deborah Quinn at a memorial service Sunday in Ventura.

Quinn, 58, of Ojai died Tuesday after her vehicle collided with a sport utility vehicle on Highway 33 near Casitas Springs.

A mother of three, Quinn was a teacher in the Ventura Unified School District for more than 20 years and spent most of her career at Sheridan Way School on Ventura's west side.

The memorial service is scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m. at Ventura Unified's Education Service Center, 255 W. Stanley Ave. Everyone is invited to take a single flower to add to a community bouquet.

"We're hoping it will be a celebration of her life," said Sheridan Way Principal Susan Eberhart.

VENTURA COUNTY

The best places to see decorated homes

It's that time of the year when houses are decorated for the holidays, and we want to tell our readers the best places to view holiday lights. We're looking for the best-dressed neighborhoods in Ventura County.

If you live in one of those neighborhoods where everyone tries to out-do the neighbors, or if you know of an area where the homes are a joy to look at, please let us know. We want to put a list on our Web site of the best places in the county to view holiday lights and decorations.

Send your suggestions to Mandy McCarthy at mmmccarthy@VenturaCountyStar.com.

— From staff reports