Less Bad News: The long, sadistic slide...

Less Bad News: The long, sadistic slide of Ventura County home values may be ending. Slowly, of course. . . . New figures from TRW-Redi Property Data--which also show sales volume booming (B1)--indicate that houses sold early this year were worth 1.6% less than their previous purchase price. This time last year, the decline was 2.7%, so it’s leveling off. . . . Homes have lost as much as one-quarter of their value since about 1989.

Old Friends: They met in the south of France, when he was 25 and she was only 15. Two decades later, they’re finally making music together. . . . Conductor Philippe Fanjeaud of the Santa Susana Symphony is bringing old friend Nathalie Steinberg to perform tonight at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center. . . . The prominent European pianist was discovered by Fanjeaud. This will be the first time she has soloed with him before an orchestra.

Degree of Effort: Gladys Battle’s college diploma, which she will receive today at Cal Lutheran, is written on welfare scrip and sacrifice (B1). . . . At 48, the mother of two hopes now to find a better life. No more disappointments like the one last month for her teenage son, Henry, who had seen the rides going up at Conejo Valley Days and wanted to attend. Battle couldn’t afford it, not even the Family Night admission of $3.

Back to Basics: Ventura’s Cabrillo Middle School is building a new classroom, mostly out of dirt. . . . The outdoor environmental education lab will feature a garden, pond, compost heap and solar energy station. Almost a dozen volunteers spent Friday ripping up 3,000 square feet of ivy to make way. Now Principal Kris Bergstrom says they just need materials to set it up. Call 641-5155 to help.