BRIEFLY.

Ventura Co. sees credit rating rise

VENTURA - Standard & Poor's Rating Services raised the credit rating on Ventura County's long-term debt from A+ to AA-, and S&P also assigned its highest short-term rating of SP1+ to the county's $145 million tax and revenue anticipation notes, county officials announced Friday.

``The ratings are important in helping secure the lowest possible interest rate for the county and the taxpayers,'' said Kathy Long, chairwoman of the Ventura County Board of Supervisors. ``These ratings clearly express support from our investors for the board's work to resolve our structural deficits and secure sustainability in our budget. This is great news for our taxpayers.''

- Daily News

Chamber receives four-star ranking

SIMI VALLEY - The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce has received a Four-Star Chamber Certification from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The new accreditation puts the Simi Valley Chamber in the top 10 percent of the nation's chambers of commerce, officials said.

``With only 14 chambers nationwide with four or five stars, the Simi Chamber is proud to be among the top chambers in the nation,'' said Daryl Kleintob, the Simi chamber's re-accreditation chairwoman.

Re-accreditation is based on evaluation of such things as organizational structure, government and legislative action, communications, facilities, staffing, technology and finance.

Accredited chambers must be re-evaluated every five years to remain accredited; the SVCC has accomplished 15 years and will go for 20-year re-accreditation in 2009.

- Daily News

Hospital group plans fundraiser

SIMI VALLEY - The Simi Valley Hospital Foundation will host its first fundraising gala at 5 p.m. Thursday at Grand Vista Hotel, 999 Enchanted Way, Simi Valley.

Money raised will go toward the hospital's new Patient Care Tower. When completed, the tower will feature an expanded intensive care unit and 170 private care rooms.

The tower reflects a $35 million investment, with $16 million acquired from a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant, $10 million from corporate parent Adventist Health and additional funding to be raised by the hospital foundation.

For information on the event, call the foundation office at [phone].

- Daily News

Big brother, sister of year honored

Dustin Russell of Ventura has been named Big Brother of the Year for Ventura County and Amber Dunn of Thousand Oaks was named Big Sister of the Year.

Russell and his ``little brother,'' a Ventura 12-year-old, have been matched for four years, sharing a love of sports and camping. They recently took a 10-day camping trip up the California coast to Oregon and through the Sierra Nevada.

Dunn has been matched with her 10-year-old ``little sister'' for three years. Dunn was selected in part because of her dedication to the girl and her consistent attention to their relationship.

Officials of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Ventura County said Friday that there are not enough men who have volunteered to meet the need in the county. More than 100 boys are on a waiting list for a Big Brother in the county, and some of them have been on the list for more than a year.

To learn more about Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Ventura County, call [phone] or [phone].

- Daily News

Bands announced for cantina show

SIMI VALLEY - Several bands are scheduled to perform at the ``Rock the Cantina'' benefit concert scheduled from 2 to 10 p.m. July 9 at the Santa Susana Cantina, 6672 Santa Susana Pass Road.

The concert was organized by the Get Together Foundation in association with Betty Jo Productions to benefit the nonprofit foundation that brings professional musicians to elementary schools for music education.

The ``Rock the Cantina'' concert will feature music from the groups Silverlake, The CEOs, The Shills and other local talent.

Tickets are $12 at the event or $10 in advance at the Cantina or Earthly Body stores in Simi Valley and Northridge.

- Daily News