Popular Democratic State Senator Fran Pavley has an upcoming campaign event in Simi Valley. Here is the announcement:

Please join hosts Rob Collins, Arleigh Kidd Donna Prenta and the Working Blue Democratic Club For a Meet and Greet with State Senator Fran Pavley Thursday, February 9th 6pm - 8pm At Simi Sams Sandwich Factory 2139 Tapo Street Simi Valley, CA 93063 Fran Pavley is running for re-election for State Senate in the newly created 27th Senate District, which will include Simi Valley in 2012! Come meet Fran and learn about her stance on important issues including investing in education, educating students in the 21st century economy and keeping our communities safe. To RSVP or if you have any questions, please contact Catherine or Adrianna at RSVP4Fran@yahoo.com or call.

Fran Pavely doesn't have an announced opponent yet but many people expect termed out State Assembly Member Cameron Smyth to run. She might also have a fellow Democrat running. Former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg would make for a very tough competitor for Smyth or Pavley.

Fran Pavley is popular with grassroots activists in the Democratic Party. She is the author of the state's landmark climate change bill. She is also a former teacher from Moorpark which explains how she has early support from two former teachers on the Simi Valley School Board.

I have been running a contest for my readers to submit Where in Ventura County pictures that include pictures of their signs in an interesting location. Here are the winners:

Most on message photograph:

Honorable Mention:

Best essence of Ventura County:

Honorable Mention:

Fan Favorite (Determined by unscientific online poll results):

Click on continue reading for the other pictures.

I am interviewing Simi Valley School Board candidate Arleigh Kidd tonight using the comments section of this blog entry. Click on continue reading later to read the interview. Arleigh Kidd is a personal friend of mine and I am supporting him. But that doesn't mean I'm not planning on asking him tough questions. I am going to ask him about charter schools, tenure, budget priorities, and more. After the interview let me know how I did.

Read his website to find out more about him:

http://arleighkiddforschoolboard.com/

You can also read a past guest blog entry Arleigh Kidd wrote years ago:

http://blogs.venturacountystar.com/dennert/archives/2005/09/guest_blogger_v.html

There are a few weeks before the election ends. Send me an email if you want to schedule an interview.

I have a new contest where candidates send in pictures for readers to guess where in Ventura County they were taken. This picture is in Simi Valley but a much more specific answer is needed to win. I'm not looking for an address but instead an approximate location including which way the camera is directed in.

You don't need to register to comment, but keep it classy.

School Board candidate Arleigh Kidd is a personal friend of mine. Because of his background in education, including teaching at Valley View Middle School in Simi Valley, I know he will make a strong addition to the School Board. He is the parent of one student that graduated from Royal High School and another student currently at there. Anyone that knows him knows he is a very passionate defender of public education. If you ask him a question on education he gives very specific answers. I haven't always agreed with him but I have come to deeply respect his dedication.

He has been endorsed by the Simi Educators Association and 4/5 of the current school board members including Jeanne Davis, Janice DiFatta, Debbie Sandland, and Rob Collins.

I am going to be interviewing him a week from this Thursday night on my blog. Read over his website and then send or post some suggestions for questions.

School Board Member Rob Collins, Past School Board Member and his wife Diane Collins, and education activist Donna Prenta are putting together a meet and greet event this weekend for three of their favorite local candidates. Here is the flyer for the event:

Although the candidates are appearing together that doesn't mean they have all endorsed each other. Arleigh Kidd posted this comment on Facebook:

I plan to be at this event to take pictures and to interview the candidates briefly. I have interviewed Jeanne Davis a few weeks ago and I will be interviewing Arleigh Kidd soon. I am personal friends with Arleigh Kidd and I am supporting him. He has been a teacher in Simi Valley and has a passion for public education.