Ventura, CA - Urologic issues in men and women will be the focus of a free seminar Community Memorial Health System is holding on Tuesday, Aug. 2.

Dr. Marc Beaghler and Dr. Seyed Khoddami, Ventura urologists, will lead the seminar that will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. in Community Memorial Hospital’s eighth-floor Nichols Auditorium.

Drs. Beaghler and Khoddami will discuss treatment options for male and female urinary incontinence, pelvic prolapse and sexual dysfunction. They also will cover the causes of these bothersome conditions.

Dr. Beaghler received his medical degree from the Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Neb., and completed his urology residency at Loma Linda University School of Medicine. He is a clinical professor of urology at the USC Keck School of Medicine.

Dr. Khoddami has a medical degree from the University of Tehran School of Medicine in Iran and completed his urology residency at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. He is a clinical assistant professor of urology at the USC Keck School of Medicine.

Admission is free, but space is limited, so reservations are required. Call (805) 652-5436, or visit www.cmhshealth.org/rsvp.

Community Memorial Hospital is located at 147 N. Brent St. in Ventura.

Community Memorial Health System is a not-for-profit health system, which is comprised of Community Memorial Hospital, Ojai Valley Community Hospital, and nine family-practice health centers entitled Centers for Family Health. The health system is located in Ventura County, California.

VENTURA, CA - A free disaster preparedness workshop for small businesses, "Ready to Resume," will be held on Wednesday, July 20 at the Ventura County Office of Education Conference Center in Camarillo (5100 Adolfo Rd.). Sponsored by the Ventura County Economic Development Association (VCEDA), Ventura County Emergency Planning Council and the LSU Stephenson Disaster Management Institute, the workshop will provide participants the tools to prepare for unforeseen business disruption and disaster.

Disasters for a small business can come in many forms--fires, floods, earthquakes and manmade calamities. The workshop will enable attendees to better understand their disaster risk and suggest actions that might be appropriate following business disruption. The workshop includes a "Red Cross Ready Rating" assessment exercise and a workbook containing emergency resources. Attendees are encouraged to bring a laptop to the workshop.

"Ready to Resume" is from 8:00 a.m. to noon in the Ventura Room of the conference center. Lunch is included. From 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., a free training session will be available in "Open for Business," a continuity planning program presented by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety.

"The Stephenson Disaster Management Institute at LSU is a leader in proactive disaster response management," says Bill Buratto, VCEDA president and CEO. "Its goal is to ready businesses and communities for the worst before disaster strikes."

Funding for the workshop is from a State Homeland Security sub-grant recently received by VCEDA for its "Ventura County Ready Business Campaign," a program designed to educate Ventura County businesses about disaster preparedness and response.

Sign up for the July 20 workshop by emailing ehymel1@tigers.lsu.edu. Space is limited. For more information, call VCEDA at 805-676-1332.

About VCEDA
Established in 1949 and recognized as the premier business voice of Ventura County, VCEDA gives members an opportunity to interact with Ventura County’s civic, corporate, small business and government leaders. VCEDA’s mission is to advocate for policies, legislation and programs that stimulate and contribute to business growth, a vital local economy and a vibrant quality of life. For more information, call 805-676-1332 or visit http://www.vceda.org.

Ventura County residents may be interested in a five-day, no-fee Job Search Workshop for unemployed professionals is offered by OPEN, a chapter of Experience Unlimited sponsored by EDD.

This workshop for white collar professionals covers resume writing, cover letters, interviewing, online job search and more.

The next workshop will be from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, July 18 through Friday, July 25, at the Job and Career Center at 980 Enchanted Way Suite #105, Simi Valley, CA 93065-1998.

Please pre-register before the previous Friday, July 15 at www.eu-open.org.

. OPEN stands for Outstanding Professionals Employment Network
. Any professional in Ventura County and surrounding areas is eligible. Previous workshops have drawn job-seekers from Monterey Park to Santa Barbara.
. Also, professionals who want more information are invited to attend Friday, open-to-the-public meetings.

These Friday gatherings from 9 to 11 a.m. provide an opportunity to network with other professionals and hear speakers or special job-hunt-related presentations. No fee. At 980 E. Enchanted Way, Simi Valley, at the County of Ventura’s Job and Career Center.

The Current President is Ken Lattin. Questions can be left at (805) 526-6349.

Naval Base Ventura County, CA. - Join the U.S. Navy on Saturday and Sunday July 23-24 as they celebrate Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) Seabee Days 2011 at Port Hueneme. Admission and parking are free.

The 24th Seabee Days provides the public with an opportunity to learn about the Navy’s construction engineers and have a weekend of fun. The activities include hands-on displays and demonstrations of construction and disaster recovery skills and static displays of some of the latest in construction equipment. Also included are a carnival, music, food, a car and motorcycle show, a karaoke contest, 10 boxing matches, a softball tournament and a craft fair. Applications for the Karaoke contest are open. To enter, visit the Seabee Days website, www.Seabeedays.org and mail your entry to the address indicated. For more information about the karaoke contest, call (805) 982-4563.

The boxing matches on Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. are free to watch. The matches feature one woman’s, two youth, two local and five Navy boxers. For information on the boxing matches please call 805-982-4392.

The Pass and Review Parade, set for Saturday at 11 a.m., features as its guest speaker Rear Adm. Christopher J. Mossey, commander of the Naval Engineering Command, Chief of Civil Engineers. The parade will feature approximately 1,000 Seabees marching and military vehicles driven by Seabees as blanks are fired from crew served weapons. An aircraft flyover will also be held.

Begin your visit to NBVC by entering the base at either the Patterson or Victoria Avenue gates. Gates open both days at 9 a.m. The carnival at NBVC Port Hueneme is open from noon to 10 p.m., Saturday, July 23 and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday, July 24.

The new Seabee Museum opens Friday, July 22 at 10 a.m. Weekend hours will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., both days. The museum will feature exhibits on World War II, the Centennial of Naval Aviation and an underwater observatory.

The fun continues with live musical entertainment from country to classic rock. Seabee Days will feature five musical bands on Saturday, July 23 including Groove Persona, Walking Phoenixes and Big Junior Little. On Sunday, July 24 Wire 2 Wire will perform.

For more information and a full schedule of activities visit NBVC Seabee Days 2011 Facebook page or the website at www.seabeedays.org or call the Seabee Days hotline at (805) 982-6000.

Please note that NBVC has heightened security measures in place. All vehicles and personnel entering the base are subject to search. Prohibited items include, but are not limited to, coolers, backpacks, skateboards, bicycles, glass containers, pets, alcohol and weapons. The cooperation of guests is greatly appreciated.

Oklahoma woman’s Change.org petition urging lawmakers to create “Caylee’s Law” attracts more than one million supporters in less than a week; at least 18 state legislatures will introduce proposal

WASHINGTON, DC – In less than one week, more than one million Americans have joined an Oklahoma woman’s Change.org campaign calling for the creation of “Caylee’s Law,” which would make it a felony for a parent to fail to report a missing child to law enforcement -- resulting in the introduction of “Caylee’s Law” legislation in at least 18 states.

The New York Times reports that the Change.org petition "calling for action from everyone from state representatives to members of Congress to President Obama" has been the driving force behind legislation.

Oklahoma State Representative Paul Wesselhoft told ABC News that the Change.org “petition has forced action” in his state.

The million-person movement on Change.org advocating for “Caylee's Law” is a sign that people who have been following the case want to do more than just express their frustration -- they want to do something about it.

“This is the most positive and productive reaction I have seen to the not guilty verdict of Caylee's Mother, Casey Anthony. Let's prevent this from happening to any other children in the future,” said Judi Siciliano, a 58-year-old grandmother of four from Bayville, NJ. “In Caylee's Memory, I choose to sign the petition.”

Tiffany Borders of Columbus, OH, signed the Change.org petition and wrote, “I am a mother of 3 beautiful girls, and if for any reason they were gone for even an hour and I didn't know where they were I would be frantic and call the police, the national guard, the news media, anyone who could help me. I hope this petition changes the law and helps hold parent[s] accountable.”

The campaign’s momentum continues to grow. More than 18 states are considering a version of Caylee’s Law. Legislators in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, and West Virginia have all announced that they are drafting versions of “Caylee’s Law” prompted by the petition on Change.org.

State legislators in Massachusetts (Bradley H. Jones, Jr. - R) and Tennessee (Mike McDonald - R) have also told Change.org members they are considering proposing “Caylee’s Law.”

“It’s remarkable to see how this Change.org petition has had such immediate practical impact in state legislatures across the country,” said Change.org founder Ben Rattray. “It’s a clear demonstration of how Change.org’s online platform enables people to take powerful collective action on the issues that are important to them in everyday life.”

The Washington Times has described Change.org as a way to ”convert...passion for causes into action that makes a difference.” The Sacramento Bee writes that “Change.org...is revolutionizing how ordinary people can effect social change by starting online signature campaigns targeting lawmakers, companies and nations.” And a New York Times feature highlights how Change.org’s “profile has skyrocketed with its involvement in several high-profile issues.”

Live signature totals from the “Caylee’s Law” petition on Change.org:
http://www.change.org/petitions/create-caylees-law

Change.org is the world’s fastest-growing platform for social change — growing by more than 300,000 new members a month, and empowering millions of people to start, join, and win campaigns for social change in their community, city and country.

About Change.org
Change.org is the world’s fastest-growing platform for social change. We send occasional announcements about innovative, compelling or successful social change campaigns we think may be of interest to the media. We try our best to inform you about campaigns that fit your beat and/or geographic region. If we got it wrong, please click reply to let us know and we'll set you up to receive announcements that match your beat. If you simply wish to unsubscribe, please email ca+unsubscribe@change.org.

Free Diabetes Classes by Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association. Emphasis is on an individual plan that includes diet, medication, exercise and blood sugar monitoring. No registration necessary but for additional information call 642-0239, x 723.

Ventura: First Tuesday of each month from 1:00 – 2:30 pm @ Livingston Conference Room, 1996 Eastman Ave, #101

Camarillo: First Wednesday of each month form 2:30 – 4:00 pm @ Camarillo Community Center Room # 3, 106 Burnley Street

Thousand Oaks: Fourth Wednesday of each month from 1:30 – 3:00 @ Goebel Senior Center Foothill Room, 1385 E Janss Rd

Simi Valley: Frist Wednesday of the month from 10:30 – 12;00 @ Simi Valley Senior Center, 3900 Avenida Simi

The Brain Injury Center of Ventura County is inviting people with a brain injury and their families to attend a special forum later this month to help set the organization’s direction for the future. The first Ventura County Brain Injury Forum will take place July 23 from 9:30 to noon at BIC’s offices in the Camarillo Health Care District complex. There is no charge to attend.

The forum will conduct separate sessions for brain injury survivors and family members/caretakers in order to assess what is most needed to meet the many challenges of living with a brain injury. BIC services presently being provided will be discussed and the hope is that ideas for new programs and services will emerge

“We exist to serve the needs of the brain injury community here in Ventura County,” said BIC Executive Director Joan Moore. “We need them to be full participants in this community – and so we want to ask them to help guide us in our planning for the future. Where are they finding holes in Ventura County as far as obtaining services and vital therapies? How can we adjust our programs and better advocate for the services they need within the greater society?

“We’re hoping to make contact with people affected by brain injury who have not yet interacted with the Brain Injury Center,” added David Wilk, BIC president. “Certainly we have not yet interfaced with every survivor and family in Ventura County. This forum offers a great chance for new people to talk about their problems and see what we are doing to help.”

Lisa Hayden, Psy. D and a clinical psychologist who treats people with neurocognitive related disorders, will facilitate the brain injury survivor session. Hayden is a member of BIC’s Professional Advisory Council and has conducted workshops for survivors in the past.

Bob Cole, a long-time Ventura County business leader, will conduct the family and caretakers session. Cole recently retired after starting and running several successful companies in the county, where he also helped found a number of charitable corporations. He has been active in the brain injury cause for over 15 years.

The Brain Injury Center currently offers separate support groups for survivors and families in several VC cities, provides free monthly workshops addressing specific challenges of living with brain injury, hosts the annual Ventura County Brain Injury Conference, offers advice and referrals via telephone and visits to its offices and makes presentations throughout the county to raise awareness about brain injury.

The July 23 forum is free and a continental breakfast is being supplied by Care Meridian. For more information and registration, call the Brain Injury Center at 805.482.1312 or visit the organization’s website at www.BrainInjuryCenter.org.

Relay for Life of Fillmore/Piru would like to invite cancer survivors in the city of Fillmore and Piru to a very special luncheon at El Pescador Restaurant in Fillmore on Saturday, July 16th from 1pm-3pm.

Please call Tony Gaitan to RSVP 805.524.3607

Grad Nite Live's summer fundraiser is with "Double A Restaurant". We are serving a Pasta Lunch and Dinner for $10.00. Spaghetti with Pesto or Marinara Sauce, Green Salad, Garlic Bread and Soda/Ice Tea. Only on Thursday's beginning July 14th Lunch and Dinner. PASTA THURSDAY!

Learn about Ventura County agriculture, take home farm fresh produce for your dinner, and have fun at the same time! Join us at the UC Hansen Agricultural Center (UCHAC) for Saturday at the Farm—Harvest Day, July 23rd from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Our first Harvest Day program will include: farm fresh produce—you harvest, we provide bag, vegetable cooking demonstration and samples, Faulkner House and farm tours. VC Master Gardeners will also hold a plant sale. Participants are welcome to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy at the farm.

Space is limited, registration required. Please call 805-525-9293 ext. 214 or email sbmiller@ucdavis.edu. Free.
UCHAC is located at 14292 W. Telegraph Rd. (corner of Briggs Rd. and Telegraph Rd.) in Santa Paula. Admission to farm and parking are free. For more information, visit our website at www.uchansentrust.org.

California Coastal Cleanup Day, the state’s largest volunteer event, has been shown to be an effective method for educating participants about the harmful environmental impacts of marine debris, a statewide survey has shown. Cleanup organizers announced the results of the survey, taken after the 2010 Cleanup, in anticipation of the upcoming 27th Annual California Coastal Cleanup Day, which will take place on Saturday, September 17th from 9 Am to Noon. The event will take place at more than 800 locations around the state, comprising the largest single effort to remove the debris that has accumulated on California’s beaches and inland shorelines over the past year.

In a survey of over 1,000 participants in the 2010 Cleanup, dramatic increases in knowledge of the causes and impacts of marine debris were shown as a result of participation in the event. 83.1% of respondents considered themselves either “knowledgeable” or “very knowledgeable” about the causes of marine debris after the event, as opposed to only 58.9% before the event, a 24.2% increase. Similarly, 77.7% of all survey takers considered themselves “knowledgeable” or “very knowledgeable” about the impacts caused by marine debris after the event, as opposed to 61.2% before the event, an increase of 16.5%.

“The results of the survey confirm CONTINUED »

The Ventura Family YMCA is hosting its 11th Annual Fun & Fitness 5K on Saturday July 30th. This event is family oriented with a wholesome and positive emphasis. We plan to have live music, a pancake breakfast, a raffle, and lots of family fun! All of the proceeds from this event go to help the seniors, adults, and families in our community. This event is definitely for anyone who wishes to run, walk, compete, or even just walk their dog. Registration can be found online at ciymca.org/ventura.

All ages are welcome to participate in the race or join us for a pancake breakfast after the race.
WHEN: Saturday, July 30, 2011, Race begins at 8 a.m.
WHERE: Ventura Family YMCA
3760 Telegraph Road
Ventura, CA 93003
WHY: The event proceeds will go towards the YMCA's Open Door Program providing critical support for childcare, aquatics, camping, teen leadership and youth wellness programs for those in the community.
CONTACT: Rich Gross
805.642.2131
Rich.Gross@ciymca.org

Graffiti, trash and weeds litter the neighborhood near A Street and Blaine Avenue.
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Trash left uncollected near A Street and Blaine Avenue attracks flies rodents.
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I just wanted to let your readers know that the city of Fillmore is not doing their job. I've called in the past about graffiti removal at A Street and Blaine, and no one would return my call so we would paint the graffiti ourselves.

Now we have a problem with trash not getting picked up and weeds growing everywhere; and now people don't care and dump their trash wherever they can.

I've called the city today along with the health department so I'm hoping someone will respond to this disgusting matter. We have flies, dirty diapers, mice and I'm sure rats will want to move in soon.

I would appreciate you printing this matter. Just because we live in North Fillmore doesn't mean we can't be clean and keep up with our yards. I can't believe the people in this apartment complex have not complained to their landlord about their living conditions or maybe they have??

Anyways, I live close to this and I need something done ASAP. Thank you for your time.
Diane Espinoza
Fillmore

Have you ever had a brush with kindness? Just down the street from two new Habitat homes under construction in Piru, Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County will start the summer off by serving an additional family with A Brush with Kindness, a component of our new Preserve a Home program. The exterior of this home will receive some TLC as 50 volunteers work together with a senior homeowner to complete landscape work and add a fresh coat of paint to revitalize the home.

“A Brush with Kindness is part of our larger neighborhood revitalization initiative and Preserve a Home program. This initiative gives us a great opportunity to help more families as well as have an impact on the entire neighborhood,” said Stacy Swanson, Executive Director. “Helping people repair and maintain their homes fits in seamlessly with our core mission of making decent, affordable housing available to families in need.”

Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County and Valspar, Habitat for Humanity International’s national paint sponsor, will outfit volunteers with paint and supplies in order to complete improvement projects utilizing no-interest loans. These loans will cover the repairs up to $5,000 and re-payments from these loans will be returned to Habitat to fund future home preservation work in our local communities.

WHEN: Friday, July 1 and Saturday, July 2 from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. Media welcome on both days!

WHO: A group of dedicated and caring volunteers from the Christian Church of Thousand Oaks, Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors, staff and committee members will work alongside the homeowner to complete the repair work and landscaping. Demetrio Silva, a Habitat for Humanity homeowner from Oxnard, will provide a catered lunch on Saturday.

WHERE: 453 Temescal Street, Piru, CA 93040

Do you have a home or know of one that needs some work? Applications for A Brush With Kindness are available on our website located at www.habitatventura.org. Would you like to volunteer on A Brush with Kindness home? We welcome all volunteers as young as 14 years of age on our sites. Each individual can have a large impact. You can sign up and become a volunteer through our website at www.habitatventura.org.