To horizon scanners

Evidently, politics also makes strange enemies — or at least unusual antipathies. President Bush wants to resume oil drilling off the Ventura County coast, but Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger says, "No thanks."

To Santa Paula

Your fair community is the mecca for family fun this weekend, with the 41st annual Citrus Festival in full swing. There will be rides, contests, music and food at Harding Park, today and Sunday, with the big parade on Main Street starting at 10 a.m. today.

To dog lovers

You and your furry friend(s) will want to take in the 2008 Pooch Parade, Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m, at Seaside Park in Ventura. Staged by the Canine Adoption & Rescue League, the event includes adoptions, spaying and neutering and a Pet Expo.

To Ventura

Avast, me hearties! It's Pirate Days at Ventura Harbor, today and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m., with grub, grog and costumes and, if you're overly adventuresome, you can even get a tattoo.

To taxpayers

The Ventura County Community College District has just paid the county of Ventura $370,000 to settle a four-year-old lawsuit over plans to expand the district's three campuses, in Ventura, Oxnard and Moorpark. Sorry to say, that doesn't include all the legal costs that taxpayers paid on both sides of the suit.

To motorists

Be forewarned: During the first two weeks the hands-free law on cell phones was in effect, the California Highway Patrol reported issuing 2,500 citations for violations.

To readers

Libraries all over Ventura County are joining in the "Catch the Reading Bug" campaign — led by the American Library Association. It's aimed mostly at youngsters, but adults who haven't caught the reading habit also are prime candidates to learn what they've been missing.

To Camarillo

Funds are being solicited to honor your community's patron persona by posting signs proclaiming the area from the top of the Conejo Grade to Lewis Road as Adolfo Camarillo Memorial Highway. Donations may be made by mail to Highway Signs, Camarillo Ranch Foundation, 201 Camarillo Ranch Road, Camarillo, CA 93012.

To Simi Valley

One of your fair city's homeowners associations seems to have some very unneighborly attitudes toward children.

To demographers

Comes word now that at least one Southland street gang is operating on Catalina Island. If a guy is going to be a gang-banger, why wouldn't he prefer Avalon to East LA?

To ecologists

Now we're told that Hawaii is looking to export 100,000 tons of trash each year to the mainland. Maybe they figure that mainland tourists caused most of the trash.

To Batman fans

The latest reincarnation of Batman, "The Dark Knight," opened, quite literally, in the dark of night, with showings just after midnight Friday, all over Ventura County.