Beginning on January 1, children under 8 years old will be required to ride in booster seats. This is a change from current law which requires children 6 years old or who weigh less than 60 pounds to be in booster chairs.

Signed into law by Governor Brown, the new law allows for an exception: children who are at least 4 feet 9 inches tall.

VENTURA COUNTY, CA - An active group of young agriculturalists, better known as the Ventura County Young Farmers and Ranchers, rallied together on Saturday, Sept. 17, to scour Ventura County agricultural fields and harvest excess produce for FOOD Share, Ventura County’s regional food bank.

These budding farmers and ranchers, ages 18 - 35, fanned out across the county gleaning harvests from 20 participating growers, packers, shippers and individuals. At the end of the day, they collected over 33,000 lbs. of fresh produce that FOOD Share will use to feed over 74,500 hungry people each month.

“Our members collected fruits and vegetables from farms in every corner of Ventura County,” said Chris Garmon, State Representative for the Young Farmer and Ranchers of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. “We are proud to partner with FOOD Share and find it gratifying to know that our work helps feed the county’s growing population of hungry people.”

The support of the local agricultural community is nothing new to FOOD Share. The nonprofit agency has come to rely on the generosity of local growers who in 2010, donated close to 3.6 million pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to the Oxnard based non-profit.

“FOOD Share is very grateful to all members of the local agricultural community, both young and old, for their generous spirit and collective support,” said Bonnie Weigel, FOOD Share CEO. “They are valued partners in the fight against hunger and, by sharing their bountiful harvests, help us feed our hungry friends a greater array of nutritious farm fresh produce.”

Members of the Ventura County Young Farmers and Ranchers are involved in production, banking, business, and many other areas of the agriculture and ranching industries. Through leadership development, networking and volunteer activities, members develop a greater understanding and appreciation the critical role agriculture plays in Ventura County’s history, economy and culture.

About FOOD Share
The food bank distributing millions of pounds of food each year to those in need throughout Ventura County, FOOD Share collects and receives food year-round, distributing through more than 150 pantry partner agencies throughout Ventura County, including Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Oak View, Ojai, Oxnard, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Somis, Thousand Oaks, and Ventura.

FOOD Share provides food to more than 74,500 people each month countywide through its partner agencies and multiple programs. Programs include the Senior Brown Bag that provides supplemental nutrition to nearly 2,000 low income seniors, home delivered meals and supplemental groceries through the Oxnard and Ventura Senior Nutrition Programs and, the Kids’ Farmers’ Markets, offering nutrition education, healthy recipe preparation and taste testing and a farmers’ market free fresh produce “shopping experience.”

For more information: call (805) 983-7100 or go to http://www.foodshare.com.

Ventura Center for Spiritual Living is presenting the workshop: “Let’s Talk”, on October 26, from 7 – 9 pm. Facilitated by Debbie Ringen, RN, MSN, FCN, topics will include: How to have an honest conversation with you family, options if faced with a serious illness, how to prepare an Advance Directive, and how spiritual, cultural, religious and ethnic experiences influence our decisions. The workshop is help at the Ventura Center for Spiritual Living, 101 S Laurel Street, Ventura. For further information call Karen @231-5791 or Judy @ 647-4511.

In its commitment to keeping the county healthy, the Ventura County Public Health Department, a division of the Ventura County Health Care Agency, will be holding two flu clinics; the first on October 14th and the second on October 21st, to immunize the public for the seasonal influenza. These two flu clinics will take place in the following locations: The first will be at the Simi Valley Town Center, 1555 Simi Town Center Drive, Simi Valley. This flu clinic will take place inside the mall, near the center courtyard, and will run from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. The second flu clinic will be in Oxnard at the Center Point Mall, 2655 Saviers Rd, Oxnard, CA. This clinic will run from 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm.

The seasonal influenza affects roughly 20% of all Ventura County residents each year. This seasonal flu vaccine is not intended to prevent the much-talked about H1N1 (swine) flu, but is thought to offer some minimal protection. People with compromised health or chronic health conditions, as well as people over the age of 50, are encouraged to get a seasonal influenza vaccine.

For more information about either of these flu clinics, please call Sheila Murphy at 677-5274.

Ventura, CA - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that on October 5, 2011, Ventura County Superior Court Judge Colleen Toy White found Russell Takasugi (DOB 10/26/1954) of Moorpark guilty following his pleas of no contest to 34 felony counts, including one count each of elder fraud and grand theft, 28 counts of money laundering, 2 counts of perjury, 2 counts of offering false instruments, and the aggravated white-collar crime enhancement. The Simi Valley Police Department conducted the investigation that resulted in Takasugi’s convictions.

Takasugi was a licensed California attorney from 1985 until he stipulated to his disbarment earlier this year. In 2007, Takasugi drafted a will for a terminally ill client. The client bequeathed his property to a friend and named Takasugi executor of his estate. After the client died, Takasugi failed to initiate probate for one year and systematically embezzled $537,205 from investment accounts the client owned while concealing those assets from the probate court. He subsequently filed false statements and instruments with the probate court.

Takasugi will be sentenced on December 9, 2011, in Division 37 at 1:30 p.m. He remains free on a $100,000 bond. Takasugi has repaid the $537,205 he stole, although at sentencing the victim is expected to claim additional losses resulting from his actions. In recognition of his early pleas and his repayment of the stolen funds, the court has committed to sentence Takasugi to a maximum of five years in state prison.

Glitter Montana graciously hosted a fundraiser for the Fillmore Women's Service Club and Equestrian Trails Inc. 126 on October 1st. A great time was had by all and everyone arrived back with their heads.

The Fillmore and Western Railroad provided a scrumptious Tri-Tip and Chicken dinner, with entertainment provided by Glitter Montana and friends, as well as the Mayor of Ichabod and Marshals hired to protect the train from the Headless Horseman.

On the wagon ride through Sleepy Hollow the Headless Horseman and the Boo Gang harassed the wagons, however, we are glad to report that the mounted Marshals did a great job in driving them off and protecting the party goers.

On the return trip pumpkin pie was served and the raffle winners drawn. Our thanks to Elkins Golf Course, AM Pet, Ventura County Certified Farmers Market, Up in Arms, Mimstar, Giessenger Winery, Chivas Skin Care, The Scented Path. Bennetts Honey Farm, Fillmore Rentals, Jewelry by D, and Kings Corner Training Stables.

A special thanks to the members of ETI 126, friends, and their horses, for putting on a wonderful and exciting adventure show.

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Welcome to Farm Watch
August – September 2011 Edition
Berry Farm Theft
• In late-August, a berry farm located on Gonzales Rd. in the unincorporated area of Oxnard was the victim of a grand theft. The farm had an expensive Pure Sense “Real-Time Irrigation Management” system stolen. Please refer to the attached flyer for details.
Farm House Burglary
• In late-August, a farm house on Heatherton Drive in Somis was burglarized. The suspect(s) broke windows to the victims’ work shed, garage, and storage shed and stole various tools including a “Craftsman” chainsaw, a weed whacker, and gardening tools. They also stole two saddles.
Fertilizer Theft
• In late-August, a berry farm located on Hueneme Rd. in the unincorporated area of Oxnard was the victim of a grand theft. The farm had eight (8) pallets of fertilizer stolen from an open storage yard. The loss was estimated at $15,000.
Fuel Theft
• In early-September, an avocado grower located on Berylwood Rd. in Somis was the victim of a petty theft. The suspect(s) cut a lock securing a perimeter fence and stole gasoline from the ranch fuel supply tank.
Fumigant Theft
• In early-September, a local agricultural product supply house, Crop Production Services, were the victim of a grand theft. The suspect(s) cut openings in the perimeter chain link fence and gained access to an open storage area. The suspect(s) used an unknown type of cart to haul away numerous metal fumigant canisters. The loss is estimated at $12,000. See attached flyer for details.
Generator Theft
• In early-September, a farm located on South Largo Lane in Fillmore was the victim of a petty theft. The farmer had a portable Honda generator stolen.
Fertilizer Theft
• In late-September, a berry farm located on Wood Rd. in the unincorporated area of Oxnard was the victim of a grand theft. Suspect(s) used a heavy duty truck and gained access to the victims’ ranch via the neighbors’ property. The suspect(s) cut openings into a chain link enclosed storage area and stole a large amount of bagged fertilizer. Refer to the attached flyer for details.
As always, the Sheriff’s Office encourages you to take preventive measures to secure and protect your property including the use of high quality locks, security lighting, surveillance cameras, and marking your property with identifiable numbers.
In addition, please order only what you need and avoid stockpiling supplies because doing so will only make your operation more attractive to thieves. If you must keep large supplies on hand, please ensure that they are kept out of sight and in a secure facility.
Contacts:
Fillmore Detective Darin Hendren darin.hendrin@ventura.org or 524-2235
Ventura Detective Christine Rettura Christine.rettura@ventura.org 662-6770
Agricultural Crimes Detective, Ray Dominguez at Ray.Dominguez@ventura.org
Camarillo Detective Nora Soler, at Nora.soler@ventura.org
I would like to thank Sheriff’s Crime Analyst Karen Brown who puts together your maps and digests all the crime data along with Det. Ray Dominguez who assists tremendously with the crime summaries.
Be alert and always safe!

With technology so prevalent in today’s world, our eyes take a beating looking at monitor screens, squinting to see the Internet on our phone, paying bills on line and shopping. Do our eyes suffer after long periods of time staring at computer screens? Is there long-term damage? What preventative maintenance can be done to keep our eyes focused and healthy?

Soroptimist International of Fillmore invites you to hear Dr. Aaron Luekenga of Heritage Valley Eye Care. Dr. Luekenga has been with Heritage Valley Eye Care for 6 years. Prior to joining Dr. Bartelson and Dr. Ikeda, he was an eye doctor in the U.S. Navy, specifically with fighter pilots, including the Navy’s Top Gun Pilots.

Please join us on Wednesday, October 19th at noon at El Pescador Restaurant in Fillmore (1305 W. Ventura Street) across the breeze way in the over flow room. If you wish to eat, the cost of lunch is $10. and may be paid at the door.

Soroptimist International of Fillmore is a woman’s group that works to improve the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world. We also raise money to give scholarships to students in our area.
If you have any questions please call: Jane David / Vice President of Soroptimist International of Fillmore at (805) 727-1145 or E-Mail Jane.David@ventura.org.

The Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity Awards program is Soroptimist’s major project. The program provides women with cash grants to offset costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education and additional skills training. The ultimate goal of the program is to help women improve their economic status by preparing them to enter or re-enter the workplace. Unlike other award programs, the Women’s Opportunity Awards can be used for books, child care, transportation or any other expense that will help a woman reach her educational goal.
Eligible applicants must be women who provide the primary financial support for their families, and who are enrolled in or have been accepted to a vocational/skills training program or an undergraduate degree program. Applicants must demonstrate financial need. Please contact Ari Larson, President of Soroptimist International of Fillmore at 805.794.7590 or petenari55@hotmail.com if you are interested in an application. The deadline to submit the application to SI of Fillmore is December 31, 2011.

Saturday morning from 8am to noon in the Super A Shopping Center parking lot the Fillmore Womens Service Club will have their annual rummage sale. The Fillmore Womens Service Club gives Fillmore High School Seniors scholarships to go on to college and trade schools, they also help women returning to school. Please come and support our club in this endeavor. We are always looking for new members, our club meets the second Weds of the month at the Senior Center at 7pm. You are welcome, come join us. If you want more information on club activities or scholarships, call Mimi Burns, President, 524-1823. Thank you for your continued support

Livingston VNA will be holding Joint Replacement Classes to prepare you for total knee or hip replacement surgery. Home preparation, exercises and information about your rehabilitation will be discussed.

November 30 @ 10:00 – 11:00
Cypress Place
1200 Cypress Point Lane, Ventura
RSVP: Diana Davis @ 642-0239 x 739

Wana Klasen's original art work is on exhibit at Four Brix Winery located at 2290 Eastman in Ventura .The winery is open to the public on Fridays from 4-8 PM and Saturday and Sunday from noon until 5PM. Tasting of four delicious selections of wine is available for $10.00.

Wana will be present at the winery on the next three Fridays of October to talk about her art work , and enjoy spending time with guests.

SACRAMENTO, CA – A 37-year-old man and an 86-year-old man, both from Kern County, are the first reported fatalities from West Nile virus (WNV) this year, Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the California Department of Public Health, announced today.

“These unfortunate deaths remind us of the potential danger from mosquito bites and West Nile virus,” Chapman said. To date in 2011, 88 human cases of WNV from 18 California counties have been reported. Last year 111 cases and six fatalities were reported.

WNV is most commonly transmitted to humans and animals through a mosquito bite. The risk of serious illness to most people is low. However, some individuals – less than 1 percent – will develop serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis. Individuals 50 years of age and older have a higher chance of getting sick and are more likely to develop serious symptoms. Studies also show that those with diabetes and/or hypertension are at greatest risk for serious illness.

Chapman said that the most effective way for individuals to prevent exposure to mosquito bites and West Nile virus is to remember the “Four D’s”:

1. DEET – Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaradin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 according to label instructions. Repellents keep the mosquitoes from biting you. DEET can be used safely on infants and children 2 months of age and older.

2. DRESS – Wear clothing that reduces the risk of skin exposure to mosquito bites.

3. DAWN AND DUSK – Mosquitoes that carry WNV bite in the early morning and evening so it is important to wear repellent at this time. Make sure that your doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep out mosquitoes. Repair or replace screens with tears or holes.

4. DRAIN – Mosquitoes lay their eggs on standing water. Eliminate all sources of standing water on your property, including flower pots, old car tires, rain gutters and pet bowls. If you have a pond, use mosquito fish (available from your local mosquito and vector control agency) or commercially available products to eliminate mosquito larvae.

California’s West Nile virus website includes the latest information on West Nile virus activity in the state. Californians are encouraged to report all dead birds and dead tree squirrels on the Web site or by calling toll-free 1-877-WNV-BIRD (968-2473). www.cdph.ca.gov

VENTURA, CA - Ventura County’s Community for a Clean Watershed is launching a new youth outreach campaign with Q104.7 FM to help reduce trash in the county's watershed. Q104.7 FM radio on-air personalities Joey Boy and Quay will be visiting more than 30 Ventura County middle and high schools through November to spread the word about keeping trash out of the county's waterways, storm drains and off local beaches.

Ventura County’s watershed is the total land area, including everyone’s backyards, from which stormwater drains into storm drain systems and our creeks, estuaries and the ocean. Anything thrown on the ground instead of in a trash or recycling bin will eventually find its way to one of these waterways and then out to sea. Preliminary statistics for the just-completed 2011 Ventura County Coastal Clean-Up Day show a 20 percent increase in trash collected compared to last year's clean-up day and should be a wakeup call to county residents. Volunteers gathered over eight tons of trash and recyclables.

"Besides being an eyesore, these items are harmful to the environment, marine life and ecosystem," says Arne Anselm, Ventura County water quality monitoring manager. "Most of it is not biodegradable; it will never go away. It can only break into smaller bits, but will remain as a huge problem. We all need to be more responsible when it comes to our trash."

The number of volunteers for Coastal Clean-Up Day has gone up every year. More volunteers mean we have the opportunity to collect more trash," says Anselm, “but, we have to remember that trash is collected at just a few key sites in Ventura County. We certainly didn’t pick up every piece of trash in the county and there is still a lot we can do to reduce trash pollution in our watershed.”

Cigarette filters, Styrofoam pieces, used baby diapers and batteries were some of the items collected in 2011. All contaminate the watershed. Dog waste is another serious cause of water pollution. Just a small amount of fecal coliform bacteria in water is known to cause cramps, diarrhea and intestinal illness in swimmers. "It’s not only pollution, but a public health issue too. We can be exposed to that bacteria all because someone didn't pick up after their dog," says Anselm.

During the Q104.7 FM school tour, students will be treated to prizes and give-aways as well as a powerful demonstration that includes the 13,763 cigarette butts and filters collected at last year’s Coastal Clean-Up Day. The awareness campaign will focus on "A Day in the Life of Ventura County’s Watershed" and includes television and radio spots and online outreach. Go to Community for a Clean Watershed on Facebook for more information on how to keep Ventura County’s watershed clean or visit www.cleanwatershed.org.

Community for a Clean Watershed is a coalition of stormwater quality management agencies in the cities and unincorporated areas of Ventura County, working together to protect the watershed by preventing pollution.

Alma Via of Camarillo and Livingston Visiting Nurses Association will be holding a free informative and Educational Seminar on knee and hip pain. Key note speaker is Michael J. Harris, MD, orthopaedic surgeon, who will discuss techniques to treat osteoarthritis, knee replacements, joint revision and arthroscopic techniques. The seminar is October 20th @ 6 pm, 2500 Ponderosa Drive, Camarillo (near Pleasant Valley Hospital). Please RSVP: 805 388-5277; for more information call Barrie: 805 797-7699.

Ventura, CA - Learn more about the cancers that affect women at a free symposium Community Memorial Health System is holding on Saturday, Oct. 15, at the Ventura Beach Marriott. Physician presentations on diagnosis, prevention and the latest treatments will be brought together in one event.

Patients, their families, the public, caregivers and medical professionals are encouraged to attend. The symposium begins with registration and light continental breakfast at 7:30 a.m. with the program beginning at 8:00 a.m. through to 1 p.m. Featured topics presented by local expert physicians include:

 Nutrition & Cancer, Cori Tempchin, RD, MPH (Registered Dietitian)
 Women & Lung Cancer, Anne Kelley, M.D. (Hematology-Oncology)
 Breast Cancer, Lynn Kong, M.D. (Hematology-Oncology)
 Breast Reconstruction, Michael Pickart, M.D. (Plastic Surgery)
 HPV – The Story of Virus to Cancer to Prevention, Kevin Chang, M.D. (Hematology-Oncology)
 Ovarian Cancer – The Not so Silent Killer, Anne Rodriguez, M.D. (Gynecology Oncology)
 Overview of Uterine Cancer, W. Michael Hogan, M.D. (Gynecology Oncology
 Resources for Women With Cancer, Jody Giacopuzzi, LCSW (Social Services)
 Including a Question & Answer Expert Panel Discussion.

Co-sponsored by the American Cancer Society, the Breast Center at Community Memorial Hospital, Cabrillo Radiation Oncology Center, Grossman Imaging Center, KVTA radio, Myriad Genetics, Inc., The Wellness Community of Valley/Ventura, , and Ventura Hematology Oncology Specialists, this important event also includes exhibit tables for attendees to gather and take home information on a variety of cancer related topics.

The Ventura Beach Marriott is located at 2055 Harbor Boulevard in Ventura. Seating space is limited, and reservations are required. Call 805/652-5385, or visit www.cmhshealth.org/rsvp.

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

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Story and photos by Bob Crum

The grand opening the long awaited Ventura County Agriculture Museum was held Sunday, September 25. The realization of more than 40 years of dedicated efforts by ever hopeful supporters, the Agriculture Museum is appropriately housed in the historic Southern Pacific Milling Co. building built in 1888. Known as the Mill... the restored building is at 926 Railroad Avenue, Santa Paula, beside the railroad tracks and across from the Santa Paula depot.

The Agriculture museum tells the compelling story of Ventura County's rich farming and ranching history, beginning with the Mission period and continuing to today's technological advances. Exhibitions will explore water use, insects, geography, crop progression, the farmer's art, livestock and grazing, labor, consumers, economics and future technology.

Besides the amazing and very big “thrasher”... there are eight vintage tractors, dating from 1914 to 1955, found throughout the marvelously restored old building. There's even a classic tractor complete with sound effects which children can climb up on, sit on the seat, and pretend to drive. The fascinating machines are part of a rotating display of the museum's nationally recognized collection of farm implements. There are also some classic vintage trucks, horse-drawn buggies and other interesting farm and ranching equipment on display.
Hours and admission: Open 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is $4.00 adults, $3.00 seniors, $1.00 children 6-17 and children under 6 free.

(l-r) Tim Hagel, Katy Hadduck, RN, Sean Morris, Sun Risers Rotary Club President.
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(l-r) Tim Hagel, Barry Fisher, Sean Morris.
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The Rotary Club of Fillmore Sun Risers has been hearing a lot about public safety during the month of September. After hearing Fillmore Fire Chief Rigo Landeros and Fillmore Police Chief Monica McGrath speak on Tuesday, Sept. 6th, Barry Fisher, Director of the VC Public Health Service Department was a guest of the Sun Risers on Sept. 13th. Mr. Fisher explained the many public hearth services provided by the Ventura County Public Health Department. The mission of the Public Health Dept. “is to empower the community to promote health and emergency preparedness; and prevent disease, injury and disability.” On Sept. 20th the Sun Risers heard from Katy Hadduck, RN who is in charge of the VC EMS Agency. Ms. Hadduck spoke about Ventura County’s new trauma system in which she was instrumental in establishing. VC has two trauma hospitals – one at Ventura County Medical Center in Ventura and one at Los Robles Medical Center in Thousand Oaks.

The Sun Riser just completed their participation in the Fillmore Piru Relay for Life, placing 4th as a team overall in fund raising. The Fillmore Piru Relay for Life has raised over $72,000 at the latest count. The next event for the Rotarians is helping with the Fillmore High School Career Day. The Club provides a continental breakfast for all the Career Day presenters. Career Day is on Friday, November 4th at the Memorial Building.
The Rotary Club of Fillmore Sun Risers meets weekly at El Pescador Restaurant at 7:00 AM. For more information about attending a meeting and about the Rotary Club of Fillmore Sun Risers, call Sean at 796-0276.