Burn Foundation

Two Ventura County organizations were named winners of the Los Angeles Times Valley and Ventura County editions' 1993 Community Partnership Awards on Wednesday. Catholic Charities, a support group for frail seniors 60 and older, and Camarillo Hospice Inc., an assistance program for terminally ill patients and their families, were among 10 organizations each receiving $5,000 grants.

For the last two years, City Atty. James K. Hahn has asked that sentences for Los Angeles landlords convicted of maintaining slum conditions include requirements that they make contributions to organizations assisting the homeless and underprivileged. In all, slumlords have given more than $150,000 to such organizations, with the leading beneficiary being Las Familias del Pueblo, a Skid Row social service agency.

Most burn injuries occur at home, and the winter presents more opportunity for burn-related accidents. Holiday decorations alone account for thousands of burns each year, says the California-based Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation. To reduce the risk: * Buy a fresh, moist Christmas tree with a deep green color. Water it daily. * Never leave a burning candle unattended and keep it away from decorations, children and pets.

The St. Paschal Baylon Church Men's Club in Thousand Oaks will present its second annual firefighter and police officer of the year awards Monday. The recipients are Deputy Gregory Sharp, a six-year veteran with the Ventura County Sheriff's Department, and Oak Park Firefighter Jack Nosco. Sharp, 31, is assigned to Thousand Oaks and works in the Newbury Park area, where he was instrumental in bringing the "Cops N Jocks" program to local high schools.

Christopher Russell has been named musical director/conductor of the Pasadena Young Musicians Orchestra for the 1991/92 season. He succeeds Allen Robert Gross, who is now conductor of the Santa Monica Symphony Orchestra. Russell served as conductor of the Music Ensemble at Indiana University and conductor of the University String Orchestra. He has also served as assistant conductor of the California Chamber Players.

The line wound out of the Kenneth Hahn County Hall of Administration where more than 200 people--an overwhelming number of them young women--patiently waited for their chance to pick up a hot item: a calendar featuring city and county firefighters. Seven of the 12 firefighters whose photos grace the pages were on hand to autograph the calendars that benefit the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation in Canoga Park.

An Afghan girl featured on the Aug. 9 cover of Time magazine after her nose was cut off arrived in the Southland Friday for treatment by local doctors. The 18-year-old, identified only as Bibi Aisha (Miss Aisha), told Time that her nose and ears were cut off by her abusive husband — with Taliban approval — to punish her for running away. The controversial photo appeared with the headline, "What Happens if We Leave Afghanistan. " Dr. Peter H. Grossman, co-director of the Grossman Burn Center in Sherman Oaks, said his wife, Rebecca, who heads the Calabasas-based Grossman Burn Foundation, saw Aisha on television and knew they could help her. The foundation paid to bring Aisha to Los Angeles, found a host family for her to stay with and is funding her treatment, Grossman said.

It was four years ago when the fire burned Doris Palacios' Los Angeles home. Her sister escaped the flames by jumping from a second-floor window; Palacios, who was eight months pregnant, could not. Palacios suffered third-degree burns over 90% of her body, and despite the likelihood that the infection common in serious burn cases would kill her, she survived. Her face was severely disfigured; Both arms had to be amputated.

Three Valley swimmers have been named to the National High School All-America Swim Team selected by the National Scholastic Coaches Association. The 45 individuals with the nation's fastest times in each event are chosen for the squad. Ron Kemp of Thousand Oaks made the team for the third consecutive year in the 200 individual medley. His time of 1:52.25 was seventh best in the country. His time of 51.97 in the 100 backstroke placed him 10th and also qualified him for the team.