GOP RULES: For 10 years now, Republican...

GOP RULES: For 10 years now, Republican voters in Ventura County have outnumbered Democrats. . . . But Democrats, who dominated the county before 1984, have narrowed the gap to a mere 5,332 voters, as of last week’s close of registration for the June primary. County GOP Chairman Bob Larkin said his party has recovered from self-inflicted wounds and will begin to sign up voters this summer: “It’s time to focus on registration. We will be doing the County Fair, and swap meets and street fairs.”

TRASH PATROL: The trail alongside Santa Paula Creek gets more foot traffic than any other section of Los Padres National Forest. And some of those visitors leave more than footsteps. . . . “It gets pretty trashed,” said Charlie Robinson of the Ojai ranger station. On Saturday, volunteers will help pick up garbage by the creek as part of a nationwide effort by the U. S. Forest Service. “Last year,” Robinson said, “we cleaned up 35,000 miles of streams and river. We are targeting 40,000 miles this year.”

SONG & DANCE: Believe it or not, studies show a drastic decline in kids who’ve got rhythm. And researchers say keeping tempo to music is closely linked to children’s skills in reading, writing and concentration. . . . So Ventura’s Mound School teaches second-graders to slap their thighs and kick up their heels (B1). Principal Beverly McCaslin said motor-skill classes help children organize their thoughts: “It helps kids concentrate and hold their attention span longer.”

SHORT ORDER: If you like munching burgers and fries at Hudson’s Grill, you’ll be happy to know that pretty soon the ‘50s-themed restaurants might be found coast to coast. . . . The former Ventura company, now based in Dallas, plans to turn its Ventura County restaurants into franchises (Valley Business, Page 9). With the bread from franchise sales, the 14-restaurant chain has big plans. Said Hudson’s Bob Fischer: “Everything is in place to take the theme nationwide.”