LAB WORK: As Pentagon cutbacks force relocation...

LAB WORK: As Pentagon cutbacks force relocation of a U. S. Navy laboratory from an oceanfront strip next to the Port of Hueneme (B1), city and harbor district officials are moving ahead with plans to take over the site. . . . Officials have targeted the land for port expansion and other economic development efforts, but first must make millions of dollars in improvements. . . . “We have access to 33 acres of oceanfront property even though we have a challenge of $8 million to $10 million to convert it to civilian use,” said Tom Figg, Port Hueneme director of community development.

LABOR PAINS: Workers at a Nabisco Foods plant in Oxnard plan to spend part of their Labor Day praying that company officials withdraw a plan to lay off the 100 local employees who make A-1 Steak Sauce and Grey Poupon mustard. . . . The workers are scheduled to hold a prayer vigil at noon at the 3rd Street factory. . . . “We’re trying to prevent the loss of jobs,” said John Gonzalez, spokesman for the local Teamsters Union. “We’re praying that they open their hearts and consider the workers before making a final decision.”

LAST HURRAH: Ventura County residents flocked to parks and campgrounds to celebrate the waning days of summer (B1). . . . “We are completely booked,” said Ranger Kelly McEnroe at McGrath State Beach. “We have a whole lot of families who just need to go camping one more time before the kids go back to school.” . . . Although Labor Day signals the end of summer for most people, McGrath stays busy through mid-October.

BIG WHEEL: Want to be a champion? Take some advice from Nicole Alford of Somis: “You’ve got to work really hard.” . . . Nine years after she first strapped on a pair of roller-skates, the 16-year-old junior at Rio Mesa High took top honors last month at the Amateur Confederation of Roller Skating championships in New York. . . . Nicole beat out about two dozen other skaters in the Junior Ladies Singles event. “I thought I had done pretty good,” she said. “But I was shocked when I won.”