CHARTER LEARNING: The Ojai Valley already boasts...

CHARTER LEARNING: The Ojai Valley already boasts more private schools than just about anywhere else in California. Now it may become home to Ventura County’s first charter school (B1). . . . Former Ojai private school teacher Deanna Nakosteen suggested the idea. Starting a local charter school has already met with some resistance, but a small cadre of supporters has embraced the concept. “Many parents have supported me all along,” Nakosteen said.

TOUGH TOWN: Angst , endless public hearings and decisions reached in the wee hours have been standard fare when some developers come before Thousand Oaks officials seeking to build (B6). . . . Ellen Michiel, of Raznick & Sons, wept after a 2 a.m. council vote to approve her company’s proposal. . . . Another developer who collapsed several years ago when his plan was rejected is bringing back a revised version--but not until next month, only after newly elected city council members are seated.

ROLL TO GLORY: Its highfalutin cousin, ice skating, seems more genteel. . . . But don’t turn up your nose at free-style roller-skating--it may become an Olympic event. If that happens, Dezera Salas, 22, of Port Hueneme will be ready (Ventura County Life, Page 8). Salas won a gold medal for freestyle skating in the world championships. But it could be years before the sport reaches the Olympics--if it ever does. . . . Meanwhile, Salas tutors skaters in Oxnard.

FUTURE TEACHERS: Proposition 187 would deny public education to children of illegal immigrants--but that hasn’t stopped some Ventura County students from envisioning bright futures as bilingual teachers. . . . About 450 high school and college students will meet at Ventura College this weekend to talk about careers in bilingual education. . . . Besides college and financial aid, the conference will focus on “encouraging (students) to become teachers,” said Mary Cathcart, an assistant with Ventura’s bilingual program.