Livingston Hospice conducts several adult bereavement support groups to help those who have experienced a loss. Explore and express feeling, understand the grief process and receive emotional support. Open to the public, no cost, all are welcome; the groups are held at:

• The First Presbyterian Church, 850 Ivywood Drive, Oxnard; Every Wednesday, (May 14, 21, 28 ); from 3:00 – 4:30 pm

• Livingston Memorial VNA, 1996 Eastman Ave (#112), Ventura; Every Wednesday, (May 14, 21, 28); from 6:30 – 8:00

• Help of Ojai, 370 Baldwin Road, Ojai; On 2nd & 4th Tuesday, (13, 27); from 10:30 am – 12 noon

• For the newly bereaved: at Livingston Memorial VNA, 1996 Eastman Ave, (#112), Ventura; second Thursday, (June 12 ); from 6:00 – 7:30 pm

Call 642-1608 for more information.

SANTA PAULA, CA – Come be a Citizen Scientist for a day! The University of California Cooperative Extension and Hansen Agricultural Research and Extension Center are inviting the public to come participate in a day of science and fun at a historic farm in Santa Paula on May 8th as part of the Centennial Celebration of Cooperative Extension! The Celebration of Science & Service event is free and available to all.

Preschoolers are encouraged to attend 9-11 am, with school-age youth attending 11-2, but activities for everyone will be on-going until 5pm. County Extension Advisors and Master Gardeners will be leading demonstrations and talks throughout the day. Additionally, Master Gardeners will be hosting a plant sale 9 am to noon.

The event is free to attend, but registration is requested so that we can ensure that there are enough materials for everyone. Visit http://ceventura.ucanr.edu/ANR_Centennial_/ for details and registration.

Youth and adults are encouraged to participate in a state-wide scientific research opportunity to collect data involving water conservation, food and pollinators. This sort of wide-spread observation collection is known as citizen science. Even those who can’t make it to the farm can participate in our citizen science data collection by visiting beascientist.ucanr.eduon May 8th.

The Celebration of Science & Serviceactivities as well as the citizen science observationswill focus on pollinators, water and food.

How many pollinators do you see?

Bees, butterflies, beetles and bats—our food depends on their ability to pollinate all kinds of crops. Spend three minutes outdoors in your community counting pollinators and add your numbers to a statewide pollinator map. The beascientist.ucanr.edu website will help you identify which ones are pollinators.

“This information will give us a baseline understanding of pollinator populations across California,” according to Beth Grafton-Cardwell, University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) specialist in the Department of Entomology at UC Riverside and leader of the UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) strategic initiative on endemic and invasive species.

How do you conserve water?

Do you conserve water in your garden, landscape, household or farm? Let us know by clicking on our California water map.

“Conserving water is essential, especially during a drought,” says Doug Parker, director of the UC California Institute for Water Resources and leader of the UC ANR strategic initiative on water quality, quantity and security. “This information will help us understand how water is being used and conserved across the state.”
Where is food grown in your community?

Do you grow your own food or get homegrown food from a neighbor who gardens? Is there a community farm nearby, or vegetable plants growing in the parkway between the street and sidewalk?

This project encourages you to discover exactly where food is grown in your community, and at the same time contribute to a statewide understanding of how widespread local food production is throughout California.

At the Celebration of Service and Science, food is not available for purchase. Visitors may bring a snack or lunch to enjoy on picnic tables. Participants are also encouraged to wear sturdy shoes and bring hats, sunscreen and water. The grounds are unpaved, but stroller friendly.

The UC Hansen Agricultural Research & Extension Center is located at 14292 W. Telegraph Road in Santa Paula, at thecorner of Briggs Road and Telegraph Road. Free parking is accessible from Briggs Road.

This celebration in Ventura County is part of a larger celebration taking place state-wide. The University of California is asking the public to join its faculty, students, staff, 4-H volunteers and master gardeners in a vast science project across the state, in recognition of the 100th anniversary ofUCCE.

About UC Cooperative Extension UCCE
On May 8, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed the Smith-Lever Act, which created Cooperative Extension to serve as a conduit for scientific advances in agriculture, nutrition and natural resources from the nation’s public, land-grant universities to its farmers, youth and communities.

“UC Cooperative Extension is all about science and service,” said Barbara Allen-Diaz, UC vice president for the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, which administers Cooperative Extension in California. “To celebrate the anniversary of Cooperative Extension, we are asking Californians to help us collect scientific data so that all of us will better understand our natural, agricultural and urban communities.”

County Supervisor Kathy Long, 3rd District would like to announce to all residents of Ventura County that the next Santa Paula Tattoo Removal Clinic will be held on Saturday May 3rd, 2014 from 8:30 am – 12 noon, no appointments necessary. Orientation for first time participants will be at 9 am located at 1334 E. Main St. the Santa Paula Family Care Clinic. Due to overwhelming response, spaces will be limited.

County Supervisor Kathy Long spearheaded this clinic in collaboration with the following agencies: Ventura County Public Health, Ventura County Probation Agency, Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, Santa Paula Family Care Clinic, Interface Children Family Services, and CalWORKS.

The clinic not only welcomes participants but volunteers to run the clinic. If you have any questions, or would like to find out how you can help, please call the Santa Paula Family Care Clinic at (805) 933-1242.

San Clemente, CA - That gallon of milk you consider a staple in your refrigerator is missing in many of California’s food banks. According to Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, milk is one of the items most requested by food bank clients, yet it is rarely donated. That will soon change with today’s launch of The Great American Milk Drive, the first-ever national program to help deliver highly desired and nutrient-rich gallons of milk to hungry families who need it most.

Hunger impacts 1 in 6 Americans, including 12.5 million families who do not have access to adequate nourishment[2] to help them reach their full potential. The facts are even more alarming locally with 1 in 4 Californians suffering from poverty, the highest rate in any state[3][4]. Over 6.5 million California residents experience food insecurity[5] and due to the perishable nature of foods like milk, Feeding America food bank clients receive, on average, only one gallon of milk per person per year and obtain less than the suggested servings of milk to fulfill a well-balanced diet. To help combat this, Feeding America has teamed up with the dairy industry, including the California Milk Processor Board (CMPB), the creator of got milk?, to launch The Great American Milk Drive and alleviate hunger in local communities.

“Food insecurity is CONTINUED »

Cal Fire

Sacramento, CA – With gusty dry winds forecast for Southern California, CAL FIRE has increased its staffing and is urging the public to be extra cautious as fire danger heightens. The Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch for many areas in Southern California starting Tuesday for high winds with gusts of 55 mph along with low humidity lasting through Thursday.

“The drought has set the stage for a very dry and potentially dangerous fire season,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, CAL FIRE director. "Fire season never really ended last year in Southern California and these strong winds will only elevate the current fire risk."

Over the past several months, CAL FIRE has hired additional seasonal firefighters across the State and bolstered fire equipment staffing months earlier than normal. In advance of the latest wind event, CAL FIRE has increased its preparedness by staffing additional fire engines, bulldozers, fire crews, and aircraft. These state resources will be positioned strategically to allow for rapid response into communities and watershed areas that may be affected by a fast moving wildfire. Already this year, CAL FIRE has responded to over 1,100 wildfires that have charred over 2,500 acres. In an average year for the same time period, CAL FIRE would typically respond to 500 wildfires for just over 1,300 acres.

"We have extra firefighters and equipment available to respond to new wildfires during this wind event," said Chief Dale Hutchinson, CAL FIRE Southern Region chief. "While we are prepared, we are reminding residents to be extremely cautious while outdoors in order to prevent a wildfire. One less spark, means one less wildfire."

CAL FIRE asks Californians to remember 'One Less Spark, One Less Wildfire' and offers the following tips to prevent a wildfire:

• Don’t mow or weed eat dry grass on windy days
• Ensure campfires are allowed, and if so, be sure to extinguish them completely
• Target shoot only in approved areas, use lead ammunition only, and never at metal targets
• Be extra careful with all powered equipment outdoors including chainsaws, tractors and welders

For more ways to help prevent a wildfire visit PreventWildfireCA.org and to prepare for wildfires visit ReadyForWildfire.org.

Ventura, CA - Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation is launching a new event, Motion by the Ocean, a 1K/5K/10K event to benefit the new Community Memorial Hospital.

Motion by the Ocean will be held in Ventura at San Buenaventura State Beach on San Pedro Street, just off East Harbor Boulevard.

Registration begins at 6:30am, 5K at 8:00am and 10K at 9:15am. There are 1K Fun Runs for Kids and Adults. All races are timed and awards will be given based on age group.

This event is open to all abilities and all ages, with an emphasis on health and families. The event also features a dj, food trucks, Ventura area exhibitors, a kids’ fun area with a bounce house, face painting, and more.

Register at www.motionbytheocean.org or call 805-667-2881. Walk up registrants are also welcome the day of the event.

Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the support, awareness, and funding of Community Memorial Hospital. Community Memorial Hospital is a member of Community Memorial Health System, a not-for-profit health system, which is comprised of Community Memorial Hospital, Ojai Valley Community Hospital and eleven family-practice health centers entitled Centers for Family Health. The health system is located in Ventura, California.

Emcee Mark Ortega

Saturday, April 26th, held at the Veterans Memorial Building, 511 Second Street, Fillmore. Time: 6pm to 10pm. The Community is welcome. Congratulations to all 15 Contestants!

Livingston Hospice conducts several adult bereavement support groups to help those who have experienced a loss. Explore and express feeling, understand the grief process and receive emotional support. Open to the public, no cost, all are welcome; the groups are held at:

• The First Presbyterian Church, 850 Ivywood Drive, Oxnard; Every Wednesday, (May 7, 14, 21,28 ); from 3:00 – 4:30 pm

• Livingston Memorial VNA, 1996 Eastman Ave (#112), Ventura; Every Wednesday, (May 7, 14, 21,28); from 6:30 – 8:00

• Help of Ojai, 370 Baldwin Road, Ojai; On 2nd & 4th Tuesday, (13 & 27 ); from 10:30 am – 12 noon

• For the newly bereaved: at Livingston Memorial VNA, 1996 Eastman Ave, (#112), Ventura; second Thursday, (May 15 ); from 6:00 – 7:30 pm

Call 642-1608 for more information.

The Fillmore Bike Park is coming along, but needs additional funding to be completed. Ride Heritage Valley (RHV), the volunteer group supporting the project, is seeking donations to complete the project and for future maintenance. Tax deductible donations to the Fillmore Bike Park Trust Fund can be made at Fillmore city hall during business hours or over the phone 805-524-1500.

Ride Heritage Valley- RHV can be found on either Facebook or Twitter for updates. RHV can be contacted at: rideheritagevalley@gmail.com

Thank you!

The Friends of the Santa Paula Blanchard Community Library invite all book lovers to their First-Saturday-of–the-Month book sale on May 3, 2014 from 10AM to 2PM.

Again there will be selections in fiction, non-fiction, children’s, and collectible books. New arrivals have been coming in daily so there will be lots of new choices. Most books are priced from $.50-$2.00. Rare and collectible books start at $4.00.Everyone can join the fun searching for literary treasures.

The event will be at the library, 119 N. 8th Street, Santa Paula. Patrons should enter through the roll-up door behind the library to access the sale.

For more information email jhawkc@gmail.com

Ventura, CA - May is National Stroke Awareness Month. Community Memorial Health System encourages the community to better understand the risk factors and symptoms of stroke, a leading cause of death and serious long-term disability in the United States.

“Time is crucial in the treatment of stroke, as on average, every 40 seconds someone in the United States has a stroke and roughly every four minutes someone dies from a stroke,” said Stephanie Lara-Jenkins, RN, Stroke Coordinator at CMH. “The earlier a stroke is recognized and the patient receives medical attention, the greater chance of recovery.”

Strokes occur when a blood vessel carrying oxygen and vital nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or ruptures. When this occurs, part of the brain is deprived of blood and oxygen, destroying millions of valuable nerve cells within minutes.

“If you suspect a stroke, remember the word FAST – F-A-S-T,” said Lara-Jenkins. “F is for face – is your face drooping? A is for arms – can you lift both arms? S is for speech – are you slurring your words and T is for time, call 9-1-1 immediately because with stroke, time is brain.”

The primary stroke symptoms include:
• Sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the face or facial drooping
• Sudden numbness or weakness in an arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause

Lara-Jenkins emphasizes stroke risk factors, which include:

• Hypertension
• Atrial Fibrillation
• Diabetes Mellitus
• High Cholesterol
• Inactivity/Obesity
• Coronary Heart Disease
• Tobacco Use
• Blood Disorders

Stroke is a leading cause CONTINUED »

Oxnard, CA - Nasal congestion – which the average adult suffers from two to three times a year – will be the focus of a free seminar Community Memorial Health System is holding on Tuesday, April 29.

Dr. Elisabeth Barbosa, M.D., a Ventura ear, nose and throat specialist, will lead the seminar from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel, located at 600 E. Esplanade Drive in Oxnard.

Dr. Barbosa will cover the cause of nasal congestion and the treatment options available. She also will discuss the risks involved when treating nasal congestion.

Dr. Barbosa received her medical degree from the Drexel College of Medicine in Philadelphia and completed her internship and residency at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. She is board-certified and is a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Barbosa also is an active member of the Community Memorial Hospital medical staff.

Admission is free but space is limited, and reservations are required. Call 1-800/906-6093 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 11 family-practice health centers entitled Centers for Family Health. The health system is located in Ventura County, California.

Irma Magana

I am delighted to have the opportunity to be part of The Fillmore Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors as President and be given the opportunity to participate and share the path to improve and support our Community to make it a great place to have a business. I Thank all of our current members for all of your support and allowing us to serve you. As some of you have traveled long distances to begin your businesses here to serve our community and remind us all just how important our work and support is needed here. Your new Board of Directors and I are committed to actively raising the quality of the services we will provide for all of our current members and new members as well. We want to assure you each and everyone of us is here to serve you and better what the Chamber can offer you, regardless of any obstacles we are faced with to achieve the full potential of The Fillmore Chamber of Commerce. Our task is to make it possible. Our mission is simple to provide practical, step by step assistance to help you grow your business in our beautiful hometown of Fillmore. This year our goal is to offer you tools and new ideas from already very successful business owners to improve your businesses. I would like to thank you once again and invite you to get involved with Fillmore's Chamber of Commerce upcoming events and get to know your Board of Directors as we too live and have our businesses in our beautiful City of Fillmore.

On behalf of The Fillmore Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and myself we Thank you for your continuous support.

Thank you,
Irma Magana
2014 President

VENTURA, CA - On Friday, May 2nd, from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. and 1 – 4 p.m., Anacapa Surgical Associates will offer free oral, head and neck cancer screenings at their office located on the Ventura County Medical Center campus, 3291 Loma Vista Road, Building 340, Suite 401, Ventura.

This event, which is open to the public, is designed to provide Ventura County residents with access to free cancer screenings as well as to raise awareness of these lesser known and often misunderstood cancers. Increased understanding of the warning signs of cancers of the head and neck region combined with earlier treatment interventions will lead to higher survival rates.

Each year, over 50,000 American citizens are diagnosed with cancer of the head and neck region and less than 60 percent are still alive 5 years later. Common warning signs of oral, head and neck cancers include a mouth sore that doesn’t heal, persistent mouth pain, difficulty chewing, swallowing or moving the tongue, soreness in the throat, a lump in the neck or changes in your voice.

For more information, call Anacapa Surgical Associates: (805) 652-6201

The May 7th meeting of the Ventura County Garden Club will be a tour of the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens at 1212 Mission Canyon Rd in Santa Barbara. The cost is $8.00 admission fee with an additional $3.00-$5.00 cost for tour fee based on size of group. There will be a carpool leaving the parking lot on 10th Street near skate park at 9:30. Those attending are to bring lunch with beverage being available in the gift shop. Time at the garden will be from 11AM to about 2PM. For non members wishing to attend there are limited spaces available and reservations should be made with Lora Clarke at 218-2105 before Apr 30th.