BANK PROBLEMS: Ventura County National Bank, already...

BANK PROBLEMS: Ventura County National Bank, already facing bad real estate loans, has been given a federal deadline of Sept. 30 to raise its capital levels (Valley Business, Page 5). . . . The bank’s holding company, Ventura County National Bancorp of Oxnard, last week posted a fourth-quarter loss of $3.5 million.

MIND TRIPS: A team of students from Simi Valley’s Royal High School beat out 90 other schools in one category of the Odyssey of the Mind contest . . . The winning team designed small vehicles that maneuvered a course and burst balloons at the finish line. The first-place team heads to San Bernardino in April for the state finals. . . . “Kids don’t need to be brilliant to participate,” adviser Judith Heran said. “Just interested.”

BIG TOP: Some Fillmore merchants are back in business for the first time since the Jan. 17 quake (B1). . . . Business owners have set up shop in a makeshift tent in Fillmore’s Central Park. . . . “It feels like you’ve moved into a really nice mall,” said Dale Crockett, whose photography shop has relocated to the new space.

HEALTH BACKLASH: Reformed fatties may be sliding back into their bad habits, recent surveys show (E1). . . . Despite warnings from health experts about the benefits of exercise, a healthy diet and not smoking, some former health nuts are slacking off. . . . “I don’t see as many people taking their diet and exercise regimens seriously,” said Lois Zsarnay, a Ventura registered dietitian, who counsels clients to steer clear of quick fixes.

BIG TOP: Some Fillmore merchants are back in business for the first time since the Jan. 17 quake (B1). . . . Business owners have set up shop in a makeshift tent in Fillmore’s Central Park. . . . “It feels like you’ve moved into a really nice mall,” said Dale Crockett, whose photography shop has relocated to the new space.