WESTWARD HO: Despite the state’s crime and...

WESTWARD HO: Despite the state’s crime and catastrophes, California is holding on to its cachet as a tourist destination (D1). . . . In the city of Ventura, tourism has been surprisingly steady, despite the Northridge earthquake. The year-to-date occupancy rate for the city’s hotels and motels was about 62.1% in November--the most recent period for which figures are available--compared with 57.4% the previous year. . . . “It’s still a little bit below where it was in 1989-90, when things were cooking,” said Bill Clawson, head of the Ventura Visitors & Convention Bureau.

FUTURISTIC FLOOD: County storm-watchers with access to the Internet computer system have yet another source for weather updates. . . . The California Environmental Resources Evaluation System, or CERES, is a state project that provides computer users with weather maps, forecasts, information about flood watches and warnings--even bulletins about preparedness and shelters. Its sources include state and federal agencies. . . . The service can be accessed through World Wide Web, at https://agency.resource.ca.gov on the Internet.

TWINKLE TWINKLE: At age 3, Ashli Amari Adams of Port Hueneme has hit the big time. . . . The former Baby Miss Oxnard is featured on the new Warner Bros. TV sitcom “The Parent ‘Hood.” She’s been in the business since she entered her first pageant at 6 months old. “When she turned 2, she said, ‘Mommy, I want to be on TV,’ ” said her mother and manager, Yolanda Adams. In the fall, Ashli beat out 226 other youngsters for the TV role. . . . Even at her tender age, learning dialogue’s a snap. “You only have to tell her once and she memorizes it,” her mother said.

RADIO DOLLARS: The timing couldn’t be worse. . . . Ventura County’s only public radio station is struggling to build an audience and gain call-letter recognition--but now is threatened by the possibility that public funding will be discontinued (B1). . . . The fledgling station has only been on the air since October.