Fillmore High School Flashes Homecoming Parade will be held this Friday at 2:45 p.m. on Central Avenue. This years Grand Marshall is Barbara Lemons. Freshmen Prince and Princess – Robert Bonilla and Anissa Magdaleno, Sophomore Prince and Princess – Angel Barajas and Angelica Gonzalez, Junior Prince and Princess Anthony Chavez and Victoria Ayala. Nominated Seniors are Rebeca Herrera, Brina Suttle, Jill Wilber, Colin Cone, Nathan Ibarra, Ralph Sandoval. The King and Queen will be announced at the rally before the parade.

Sespe Players Agenda,
Sept. 24, 7:00, Villegas’ House
541 Stonehedge Drive, 524-3275

Welcome and Introductions

Purpose of Meeting

Sespe Players-Who and What They Do

Financial Report

Board of Directors-volunteers for positions
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Membership

Putting on a Show

Areas of Participation

Short Term Goals- Productions in Spring ’09 or Fall ‘09

Venues

Children’s Theatre Workshops

Long Term Goals-Researching and Writing Grants

Set the next meeting

Camarillo, California – Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is sponsoring the 4th Annual 5K Walk/Run to benefit the county’s court-dependent abused and neglected children. The Walk/Run will be held Saturday, October 11th at College Park in Oxnard. College Park is located on Rose Avenue at Channel Islands Blvd. (site of the Strawberry Festival). Registration begins at 8:00am, and the Walk/Run commences at 9:00 am. There is a registration fee of $10 per child and $15 per adult. Major sponsors include FAMSA and Bi-National Health Week, as well as Basu’s Homestyle, Metal Window Corporation, Joyce A. Brykman CPA, and Kevin and Gerry Rubey.

Sponsorship forms are also available from CASA, for participants who wish to gather pledges for their Walk/Run. A youth bicycle will be raffled off, and there will be appreciation prizes for the adult and child who generate the most pledge money. A fitness trainer will lead participants in stretching exercises prior to the event. The Walk/Run is approximately three miles in length and promotes healthy activity for both adults and children, as well as raising funds to benefit children in crisis.

CASA is a program of Interface Children Family Services and the only program of its kind in Ventura County. CASA volunteers help individual children who have been removed from their homes by the court system because of abuse, neglect or abandonment. The CASA volunteer becomes the child’s voice in court, mentors him or her and provides a stable adult presence throughout the time the child is in foster care or other safe havens. Funds raised from the 5K Walk/Run will assist CASA in training and coordinating additional volunteers, so more children in need can benefit from a CASA’s help and support. Interface Children Family Services is a nonprofit organization, funded primarily through corporate and individual donations and fund-raising events such as this 5K Walk/Run. For more information on becoming a CASA volunteer or for information about the 5K Walk/Run, contact Adi Levi, CASA Volunteer Specialist at (805) 485-6114 x611.

VENTURA, Sept. 22 – The American Heart Association, Ventura County Division, will hold its 2008 Start! Ventura County Heart Walk on Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Simi Valley Town Center. The annual event is expected to draw more than 500 participants. Event attractions include health screenings, Yoga, Pilates and breathing classes, stretching clinic, free massage, and a Kids Zone with fun activities for children.

The Start! Ventura County Heart Walk is a celebration of the American Heart Association’s groundbreaking national Start! movement that calls on all Americans and their employers to create a culture of physical activity and health to live longer, heart-healthy lives through walking. It aims to inspire healthy lifestyle habits by promoting exercise, such as walking, as a regular part of life. The Start! Heart Walk is the American Heart Association’s biggest fundraising event benefiting the fight against heart disease and stroke, America’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers. Ventura’s goal this year is to raise $180,000 to help fund lifesaving cardiovascular research and community education.

Simi Valley resident Bruce Kanegai, who competed in the TV show Survivor Panama Exile Island 2006, will emcee the event. Kanegai, a Karate instructor, taught art for 34 years at Simi Valley High School and he is a recipient of a number of teaching awards.

Families, friends, companies, employees and community groups are invited to be a part of the 2008 Start! Ventura County Heart Walk. To join or learn more about the event, visit www.venturaheartwalk.org or call Ally Walker at (805) 445-7050.

Start! is sponsored nationally by Subway, Healthy Choice and AstraZeneca, and locally by Simi Valley Hospital.

Ventura County volunteer blood donors have steadily given over the past four months, ensuring United Blood Services had the necessary blood on hand and ready for patients. Consistent community support helped us through the long holiday weekends of Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, and the recent Metrolink accident. Thanks to blood donors, blood supplies for the residents of Ventura County have been steady and sufficient this summer and for recent tragic events.

As the only blood provider in Ventura County, United Blood Services depends upon our volunteer blood donors to help supply all the blood needs for the county. No major blood shortages were experienced in the summer of 2008 thanks to the steady support from the community. Additionally, blood that was collected in August and early September was ready on the shelf at Ventura County Hospitals to immediately respond to the Metrolink accident.

In the past week, United Blood Services has received a many phone calls and blood donations as the community demonstrates their concern and sadness for their neighbors. Everyone at United Blood Services is grateful for all of the amazing support we have received. Over 900 pints of blood have been collected since September 13th in Ventura and South Santa Barbara County. These units will replenish hospital inventory and keep us prepared for the needs of our community.

United Blood Services will be holding additional drives showing support from Ventura County:

September 22
Remax of Simi Valley
2853 Cochran Street
Simi Valley
Hours: 1 PM – 6PM
(appointments requested)
800-715-3699 or online at www.bloodhero.com

September 23
Moorpark Community
Moorpark Chamber of Commerce
18 East High Street
Moorpark
Hours: 2 PM – 6 PM
800-715-3699 or online at www.bloodhero.com

September 27
Simi Valley YMCA
3200 Cochran Street
Simi Valley
Hours: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
800-715-3699 or online at www.bloodhero.com
September 28
Arnaz Program Center
155 Sulphur Mountain Road
Ventura
Hours: 3:30 PM – 7:30 PM
800-715-3699 or online at www.bloodhero.com

September 29
Royal High School
1402 Royal Avenue
Simi Valley
Hours: ! PM – 6 PM
800-715-3699 or online at www.bloodhero.com

October 8
Ventura County Government Center
800 S. Victoria Avenue
Ventura
Hours: 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM
800-715-3699 or online at www.bloodhero.com

Rancho Keleje Alpacas will participate in the 2nd Annual “National Alpaca Farm Days”
On September 27 and 28, alpaca breeders from across the United States and Canada will invite the public to come to their farm or ranch to meet their alpacas and learn more about these inquisitive, unique animals. From 10 AM to 4 PM, Rancho Keleje Alpacas will open up their gates and welcome guests for an up close and personal glimpse into the alpaca lifestyle!
Rancho Keleje Alpacas is owned and operated by Leslie Warren and Jeff & Jackie Warren. It is located six miles east of Fillmore near Piru at 3626 Howe Rd.
What IS an alpaca?
Alpacas, cousins to the llama, are native to the Andean Mountain range of South America, particularly Peru, Bolivia, and Chile.
Alpacas were first imported into the United States in 1984. Since then, the alpaca industry has grown steadily, according to the Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association (AOBA), the backbone of the alpaca industry. Current estimates total over 120,000 registered alpacas with the Alpaca Registry, Inc. (ARI) in the United States and more than 4,000 AOBA members in North America.
There are two types of alpacas in the United States today. Although almost physically identical, what distinguishes the two types of alpacas is their fiber. The Huacaya (wa-Ki’-ah) is the more common of the two and has a fluffy, extremely fine coat. The Suri is the rarer of the two and has fiber that is silky and resembles pencil-locks.
Adult alpacas stand at approximately 36 inches at the withers and generally weigh between 150 and 200 pounds. They do not have horns, hooves, claws or incisors. Alpacas are alert, intelligent, curious, and predictable. Social animals that seek companionship, they communicate most commonly by softly humming.
Alpacas are shorn, without harm, every twelve to eighteen months. They produced five to ten pounds of luxurious fiber. Long ago, alpaca fiber was reserved for royalty. Today it is purchased in its raw fleece form by a fiber cooperative, hand-spinners and fiber artists. Knitters buy it as yarn.
Because of its soft texture, alpaca fiber is sometimes compared to cashmere. Making the fiber even more coveted, it has the luster of silk. Alpaca is just as warm as wool, yet 1/3 the weight of wool to achieve that warmth. It comes in 22 natural colors, yet can be dyed any desired shade.
Containing no lanolin, alpaca fiber is also naturally hypoallergenic. Most people who are sensitive to wool find that they can wear alpaca without the itching or irritation they feel from wool because alpaca fiber is smooth.
Additional performance characteristics include: stretch, water repellency, and odor reduction. For travelers, clothing made from alpaca is desirable because it is wrinkle-resistant.
To find out more about National Alpaca Farm Days visit www.NationalAlpacaFarmDays.com . To find out more about Rancho Keleje Alpacas, visit www.ranchokelejealpacas.com or call (805) 794-2405.

The Bacon Family of Fillmore, CA are ready to battle for a win when they play against The Stringham Family of Costa Mesa, CA on the nationally syndicated Family Feud, beginning on Thursday, September 25. The high-stakes game where contestants must guess the most popular answers to survey questions posed to 100 people in order to win big money airs Monday-Friday at 6:00 p.m. on KCAL (Channel 9).

The Bacon Family – which includes Aaron, a new dad who serves in the Navy; sister-in-law Alisha, a dedicated mom and sales representative; sister-in-law Jessica, a veterinary technician and all around animal enthusiast; father-in-law David, a manager and driver for a trucking company; and wife Brittney, a fun-loving and energetic wife and mom – will be the ones to beat when they face off with The Stringham Family in America’s favorite family game show.

“We have always watched Family Feud, so one day we thought we’d try and get on the show,” said David. “If we win, we’re all taking a family cruise.”

“This family has a big heart,” said host John O’Hurley. “Let’s hope that they can pull through for a win.”

Will Fillmore’s Bacon Family win enough to take a family cruise? We’re not saying, but viewers can find out by tuning in beginning Thursday, September 25.

Learn more about prevention, the early detection and how to reduce the risk of cancer at a free symposium that Community Memorial Health System is holding on Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Ventura Beach Marriott.

“Staying Cancer Free” will run from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and will feature local board-certified physicians speaking on the following topics:

 Exercise and nutrition, by Ann Kelley, M.D.;
 Tobacco and cancer, by Thomas Brugman, M.D.;
 Skin cancer detection and prevention, by Samuel Bern, M.D.;
 Screening for cervical cancer and HPV, by Lois Barnes, M.D.;
 Colon cancer screening, by Benito Pedraza, M.D.;
 Prostate cancer detection, by Thomas Fogel, M.D.

Men and Women of all ages are encouraged to attend who have concerns about early detection and prevention of cancer. Anyone with a family history of cancer, or has been diagnosed with or is being treated for cancer, as well as spouses, caregivers and healthcare professionals.

The symposium is co-sponsored by the American Cancer Society and The Wellness Community of Valley/Ventura. The Ventura Beach Marriott is located at 2055 Harbor Boulevard in Ventura.

Space is limited, so reservations are suggested. Call 652-5385, or visit www.cmhshealth.org/rsvp.

The Ventura County Department of Behavioral Health and the Ventura County Chapter of the American Red Cross wish to express their heartfelt condolences to the victims, families and residents of Ventura County who were affected by the tragedy of September 12, 2008.

In offering support the Behavioral Health Department and the American Red Cross are working together to provide support services to the community.

Mental Health Concerns (24 hours) - 1-800-671-0887

Other Support Services – 805-339-2234

VENTURA — Ventura County farmers and ranchers will soon have a faster and easier way to file pesticide use reports (PURs). The Agricultural Commissioner’s Office is preparing to launch a Web-based reporting system that will allow the mandatory reports to be filed electronically.

Growers and others responsible for filing PURs are invited to attend a workshop on Friday, Sept. 26, to learn more about the new reporting system. Sponsored by the Farm Bureau of Ventura County, the Ventura County Agricultural Association, and the Agricultural Commissioner’s Office, the workshop will be from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott, 600 E. Esplanade Drive, Oxnard.

Since 1990, California has required that all agricultural pesticide use be reported monthly to the County Agricultural Commissioner, who in turn must report the data to the Department of Pesticide Regulation. The State has a broad legal definition of “agricultural use,” so the reporting requirements include pesticide applications to parks, golf courses, cemeteries, rangeland, pastures, and along roadside and railroad rights-of-way.

In addition, all post-harvest pesticide treatments of agricultural commodities must be reported, along with all pesticide treatments in poultry and fish production, as well as some livestock applications. The primary exceptions to the reporting requirements are home and garden use, and most industrial and institutional uses.

The electronic filing system is expected to speed up the process and reduce the cost of compliance. The Sept. 26 workshop will include a presentation by the Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office explaining how growers can sign up for the online reporting program. The Santa Barbara County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office will describe how the program has worked in that county, and representatives of companies that operate free electronic reporting systems for growers will demonstrate their services.

The workshop is free, but space is limited and reservations are required. Please contact the Farm Bureau at (805) 289-0155 no later than Tuesday, Sept. 23 to reserve a spot.