SIMI VALLEY: BRIEFLY : SIMI BUSINESSMAN MUST PAY $12,500.

VENTURA - The owner of a carpet cleaning company based in Simi Valley must pay $12,500 in civil penalties and restitution under a consumer fraud judgment issued in Ventura Superior Court on Monday.

The Ventura County District Attorney's Office filed a civil lawsuit against Ron Meyer in May of last year charging Meyer with unfair and coercive marketing. Prosecutors said Meyer - doing business as Preferred Carpet, Drapery and Upholstery Care - advertised inexpensive carpet steam-cleaning but company sales people would coerce customers to buy additional services costing much more.

Under the settlement reached between Meyer and prosecutors, Meyer must revise his sales practices and he also agreed to pay $11,000 in civil penalties and $1,500 in restitution to the Ventura County Library Fund.

SOURCE: Daily News County reports 500 `clunkers' off road

VENTURA - More than 500 older vehicles were removed from county roadways through the Ventura Regional Sanitation District's ``Cash for Clunkers'' campaign, county officials said.

Officials said 501 autos and light-duty pickup trucks were retired, eliminating about 33.1 tons of pollutants. The program, developed in conjunction with the county's Air Pollution Control District, offers cash to owners of vehicles made before 1974.

The program cost about $325,000 since starting in March 1995 and ending in January 1996, a year ahead of schedule.

SOURCE: Daily News Prenatal class set in Agoura Hills

AGOURA HILLS - The city's Department of Community Services is offering a class in prenatal care covering labor, delivery, diet, body mechanics, breast feeding, Caesarean delivery, physical and emotional changes, and relief of common discomforts during pregnancy. The class will also teach care for the newborn.

The class will take place at the Agoura Hills Recreation Center, 30610 Thousand Oaks Blvd., beginning the week of April 15. For more information, call [phone].

SOURCE: Daily News Prize-winning rabbit stolen

VENTURA - An Easter thief stole a prize-winning bunny from Laurie Campbell's hutch.

Snow Shimmer, a white, 6-year-old Netherlands dwarf rabbit that has won prizes at the Ventura County Fair, was discovered missing Sunday afternoon, about 12 hours after the animal was seen last week in its hutch.

Campbell pleaded for the rabbit's return.

``We wouldn't question,'' she said. ``We just want the rabbit back.''

Snow Shimmer won't be hard to recognize: The animal weighs about 2-1/2 pounds, has blue eyes and has identification tattoos in her ears. One ear is marked ``D1737'' and the other reads ``7558D.''

SOURCE: Associated Press Red Cross to hold CPR, first-aid class

SIMI VALLEY - The American Red Cross East Valley District office in Simi Valley is offering a seven-hour adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first-aid class from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 15.

The course includes recognizing and caring for breathing and cardiac emergencies for adults, identifying and caring for life-threatening bleeding, sudden illness, and injuries.

The course will be held at 1919 Williams St., Suite 200. It is designed to meet or exceed Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines for the workplace. The cost is $38.

Preregistration is required. For information, call [phone].

SOURCE: Daily News