IMMIGRATION: A new congressional panel on immigration...

IMMIGRATION: A new congressional panel on immigration reform--one that includes both Ventura County representatives--held its first meeting Wednesday (B6). . . . The group will consider a range of strategies, from tighter border controls to a tamper-proof I.D. “If you are thinking about coming to this country illegally, forget about it, and if you’re here already, pack your bags,” said chairman Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley).

HELPING OUT: With a city deadline looming for him to clean up his property or be fined, 75-year-old Edward Bradley wondered how he’d have the strength to do the work (B8). . . . But then the students from the Seventh-day Adventist Academy in Newbury Park came to his rescue. “We saw he needed some help, so here we are,” teacher Don Kilpatrick said.

START DIGGING: Spring won’t officially be sprung until Monday, but this is the time to start getting lawns, gardens and flower beds in shape (Ventura County Life, Page 8). . . . And nurseries throughout Ventura County are in that mad-paced transition.

HAPPY ENDING: Weathering their first storm before marriage, Bridget Burger and David Esquibias almost didn’t get to tie the knot last weekend. . . . When storms shut down U.S. 101, David and half the wedding party were stranded in Ventura while Bridget and others were at the long-planned site of the wedding--the Four Seasons Biltmore in Santa Barbara. But after a frantic round of cellular phone calls, the couple married at the Ojai Valley Inn, which arranged to accommodate the wedding on four hours notice. . . . The Biltmore’s wedding cake was delivered by one couple. The best man, a photographer, had his camera. And 30 of the 75 guests were on hand when the couple were married. “It certainly will be a wedding no one in our family or group of friends will ever forget,” said Bridget’s mother, Michelle.