The Fillmore Chamber of Commerce is please to invite you to a City Council Candidates Forum on Wednesday October 24, 2012 from 6:30 – 8:30 P. M. at City Hall Council Chambers.

This forum will allow the Citizens of Fillmore to make a more informed choice when they vote to elect three new council members and allow each candidate the opportunity to clearly present their positions on current issues facing the City of Fillmore. If you have a particular question you would like addressed please submit your questions by either email: fillmorechamber@att.net or mail to P. O. Box 815 Fillmore, Ca 93016 no later than October 12, 2012.

The Chamber of Commerce is hosting this form as a service to the businesses and citizens of Fillmore and neither supports nor endorsed any candidate.

For further information contact Co-Chair Raylene Chaney at (805) 407-5759

Tracey Gold

WHAT: Celebrate Big Brothers Big Sisters and its mentoring impact on the lives of youth facing adversity by attending Bags Bling and Bubbly, a champagne luncheon for and by women featuring celebrity and T.V. Star Tracey Gold and recently crowned Miss California Tiffany Allen.

HOW: Big Brothers Big Sisters is hosting a champagne luncheon honoring Tracey Gold, the Wise, Wonderful Woman of the year. This dazzling extravaganza features a live and silent auction with vintage and new designer bags, jewelry, show tickets, spa packages, baskets, and raffles. Tickets are $75 per person and sponsorship and advertising packages are available.

WHY: Proceeds benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters and the 1,500 youth they serve throughout Ventura County and neighboring communities. The participation of youth and their families in a nationally recognized mentoring program is transforming their lives for the better, forever and guiding them to become productive and responsible citizens. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County has been serving the youth in Ventura County since 1970 and is the top ranked youth mentoring organization in the country by Guidestar’s Philanthropedia, because of its evidence-based mentoring model with proven youth outcomes.

WHO: Join a fabulous group of women and those business and community sponsors who support them, including Diane and Bill Sabol, CoffeyTalk, HealthWise, Wells Fargo, Select Staffing, Steve Greenwood Esq. and the Lewis Greenwood Foundation.

WHEN/WHERE: Friday November 9th, 2012 @11:00 a.m. at Las Posas Country Club, 955 Fairway Drive, Camarillo, CA 93010

We invite individuals, companies and organizations to consider advertising and sponsorship opportunities by contacting Terri Felix at 805.484.2282 x 23 or by e-mailing tfelix@bbsvc.org.

Visit our website at www.bbsvc.org or call 805.484.2282 for additional ticket information and event updates.

Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/461354773887915/

Ventura County Library (VCL) is proud to announce the availability of DemographicsNow: Business & People, the ideal resource for those in need of a comprehensive business and residential research tool.

DemographicsNow: Business & People is available now – FREE – with your VCL card. DemographicsNow: Business & People is available online from any computer with a broadband internet connection through the Ventura County eLibrary at bit.ly/OzrgTM.

DemographicsNow: Business & People provides in-depth demographic variables and trends presented through reports, maps, and charts. Use DemographicsNow for tools to find businesses and target populations for informed and timely decision making.

A great way to get started with DemographicsNow: Business & People is to click on the "VIEW OUR TUTORIALS" link and take step-by-step instructions to learn how to:

Generate a demographic report
Find businesses and people
Use maps to find your competition and choose a location for your business
Create a sales lead list
Access the 2010 Census Data
Assess the market and risk factors for your business

The Ventura County Library is available 24/7 at www.vencolibrary.org.

In an effort to quell overpopulation of the breed, the Humane Society of Ventura County is offering free spay or neutering for Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes.

The offer is for residents of Ventura County who own Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes that are 5 years and under and weigh from 5 to 15 pounds.

The HSVC also offers low-cost spay and neutering for all other dogs aged 5 years and under and between 5 and 80 pounds, with the HSVC vets’ approval. Call shelter for details.

The HSVC is singling CONTINUED »

Charles and Alyce Richardson of Fillmore had the honor and privilege to witness the church service and promotional ceremony for Gordon A. Richardson, their nephew, who was promoted to Colonel in the United States Army. The ceremony took place on July 6, 2012 at Colonel Richardson's home base, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

Colonel Richardson started his career as a member of the Reserve Officers Training Corp (ROTC) where he began as a freshman at Northeastern University in Boston, MA. He graduated from college there in June, 1990 as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. He received a permanent commission as a reward for graduating number one in his ROTC class. Now, 22 years later, he's been promoted to full Colonel.

This is note worthy because his father, a West Point graduate, retired as a Lt. Colonel. His two older brothers, also West Point graduates, retired as a Lt. Colonel and a Major after distinguished careers in the US Army. The point being that to reach this lofty goal being a West Point grad is not the only way to accomplish this highly sought after military rank, but if you are a great solider like Colonel Richardson there is no "glass ceiling".

Colonel Richardson told CONTINUED »

Native plants, succulents and drought-resistant are the three words that best describe the front yard of the Montero family named the Yard of the Month for September 2012 at 1053 Ortega St. Some of the plants include rosemary, lavender, sage, cacti and many different succulents. The family includes Leo, Cuba Montero and their 3-month old son Nelson. Leo and Cuba purchased the home 7 years ago and did the yard and rock paths on their own. They said they have learned along the way. The plants are not only beautiful but they attract hummingbirds and bees. There is also an apple and plum tree. "We decorated the porch with more potted succulents and colors to give it a Southwest look/feel that would match the yard. We are not done, but it's close." said Cuba.

The Montero family received a certificate donated by Otto & Sons Nursery in the amount of $30.

Fillmore Civic Pride/Vision 2020 meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at Fillmore City Hall (2nd floor conference room) at 1:30pm. Please call 805.524.3841 for more information.

The new community reading club has chosen the classic Dracula by Bram Stoker to read as their first book. Going along with the Halloween theme it is very apropos. The book will be discussed on Thurs. Oct. 25th at 7pm (Fillmore Public Library). Light refreshments will be served. The reading club is sponsored by Soroptimist International of Fillmore. Questions please call Cathy Krushell 805.524.3355.

The Fillmore Chamber of Commerce is please to invite you to a City Council Candidates Forum on Wednesday October 24, 2012 from 6:30 – 8:30 P. M. at City Hall Council Chambers.

This forum will allow the Citizens of Fillmore to make a more informed choice when they vote to elect three new council members and allow each candidate the opportunity to clearly present their positions on current issues facing the City of Fillmore. If you have a particular question you would like addressed please submit your questions by either email: fillmorechamber@att.net or mail to P. O. Box 815 Fillmore, Ca 93016 no later than October 12, 2012.

The Chamber of Commerce is hosting this form as a service to the businesses and citizens of Fillmore and neither supports nor endorsed any candidate.

For further information contact Co-Chair Raylene Chaney at (805) 407-5759

The Fillmore Chamber of Commerce membership elects members for Business of the Month that stand out in the community. Qualifications must be that the business is a current Fillmore Chamber of Commerce member, helps out in the community by volunteering and supporting it unconditionally. We welcome nominations from the community. To nominate a business person, please call the Chamber office at 524-0351 or Cindy Jackson at 391-1008.

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I've found, in my limited experience, that writing a feature film is just like writing an essay in school, or lyrics in a song, or the first line of a news article. You sit on that blank page and search. For hours, maybe for days you grasp at transparent words floating through the air, dependent entirely on luck to find that vital first line. It has to take you and your reader somewhere amazing, and nobody is going to be amazed if you can't first astonish yourself.

That's the feeling I got when I first put hands-to-laptop in November 2011 and started my third film, 'Faraway'. As the story goes: Audrey, a determined young American woman, arrives in the Philippines with a mysterious mission, little money, and no chance of reaching her goal. But when she enlists the help of two friendly locals, Hazel and Rey, and an unfriendly American expatriate, Nick (played by Nicholas Medina), the possibility of success comes into view. All they have to do is cross 300 miles of roads, jungles, and ocean, ward off the attacks of a vicious local motorcycle gang, and keep themselves from killing each other. "Faraway" is a tale of classic adventure, but with the rough-hewn gritty style of an indie.

Principal photography began CONTINUED »

Ventura County Library (VCL) is proud to announce the availability of Access Video On Demand, a comprehensive streaming video resource offering a broad variety of documentary, educational, cultural and instructional programming.

Access Video On Demand is available now – just in time for the start of school! Access Video On Demand is available online from any computer with a broadband internet connection through the Ventura County eLibrary at http://157.145.215.81:81/rpa/default/RPA_redr.htm. Free with your VCL card!

Benefits of Access Video On Demand include:
Engaging content from world class producers and broadcasters, including BBC, PBS, ABC News, CNBC, Biography, History Channel, National Geographic, Films for the Humanities & Sciences, Rick Steves & many more
Nothing to check out, nothing to return – no worries about overdue fees or damaged discs
All items are always available (simultaneous use)
Any current cardholder can use Access Video On Demand from home or anywhere with broadband Internet access
Superior video quality – the video player adjusts automatically for an optimal viewing experience in variable bandwidth environments
Because this is a browser-based internet service, the videos can be viewed on PCs, Macs, iPads and other internet-enabled mobile devices
Citations provided for students doing research or homework

The Ventura County Library is available 24/7 at www.vencolibrary.org.

Ventura, CA - Ventura County Clerk Recorder/Registrar of Voters Mark A. Lunn announced today the availability of the Sample Ballot for the November 6, 2012 Presidential General Election.

Lunn said, “The Presidential General Election has many federal, State and local candidates and issues to be decided so it is important to ensure that voters have an opportunity to study the ballot before casting their vote on Election Day.

Sample ballots will be delivered to over 400,000 registered voters beginning Thursday, September 27. Sample Ballots are more than just a list of candidates and ballot measures. Candidate statements, voting instructions and an election calendar are included. The polling place location is important information that every voter should check, since it may change from election to election.

Voters who wish to vote by mail may fill out and return the application on the back of the Sample Ballot booklet no later than Tuesday, October 30.

Additional information is available at the Elections Division website http://recorder.countyofventura.org/elections or by calling the Ventura County Elections Division at 654-2664.

The Ventura County Chapter, Parents of Murdered Children, will be observing The National Day of Remembrance for murder victims, with a ceremony on Tuesday, September 25th at the Ventura County Government Center courtyard, 800 S. Victoria Ave., Ventura, beginning at 5:30 P.M. This ceremony is open to the public and allows all those who have lost a loved one to murder, to honor the victims memory. Please join us for a very meaningful ceremony and light refreshments. "So long as we live, they too shall live and love for they are a part of us, as we remember them." Please join us and forward this message to any one you think might benefit from it. If you would like your loved one's picture included on our picture board, please bring a 3x 5 picture with you to the ceremony.

Dear Community Friends:

As the Director of Fillmore’s Santa Clara Valley Legal Aid, we have been getting a lot of questions regarding the “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals- (“DACA”). To accommodate these questions, we will be hosting a presentation on DACA on Thursday, September 27, 2012 at 6 PM at the Fillmore Senior Center.

As you may have read, President Obama has provided a relief process for eligible undocumented youth. Under directive from the Department of Homeland Security, DREAM Act eligible youth will be given a type of temporary permission to stay in the U.S. called "deferred action for childhood arrivals." DACA will be valid for two years and may be renewed at the end of two years. Individuals who receive deferred action may apply for and may obtain employment authorization. The federal government began accepting deferred action requests on August 15, 2012.

Santa Clara Valley Legal Aid has invited immigration attorney Gabriella Navarro-Busch and a team of immigration attorneys to do a presentation to our community about DACA. The presentation will include DACA eligibility, process, how it incorporates the Dream Act, red-flags, how to apply. The presentation will be an overview of the program and then immigration attorneys will be available one on one to meet with people. This event is free of charge and child care will be provided.

Santa Clara Valley Legal Aid Presents:
DACA Immigration Policy Program
Immigration Attorney Gabriella Navarro-Busch
Thursday, September 27, 2012 6 PM
Fillmore Senior Center, 533 Santa Clara Street, Fillmore, CA
Presentation will be in Spanish with translation to English available

Thank You.
Laura Bartels, Director
SANTA CLARA VALLEY LEGAL AID
805-524-1934

Chloe Keller

Camarillo, CA - Chloe Keller, a 19-year-old Liberal Studies major from Fillmore, is the 2012-2013 CSU Channel Islands (CI) recipient of the prestigious William Randolph Hearst/CSU Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement. The $3,000 award, given to one student at each of CSU’s 23 campuses, recognizes students with financial need who have overcome significant hardships to excel in academics, community service and personal achievements.

Keller maintains a 3.5 GPA while taking 19 units (6 classes), working part-time at a restaurant, and serving as a mentor to underprivileged and underrepresented students through CI’s LEAP (Leaders in Educational Awareness) and EOP (Educational Opportunities) programs. A Liberal Studies major, she is weighing future careers as a teacher or doctor.

“I’m so grateful to be awarded this scholarship,” Keller said. “Without the help of scholarships like this, I would be unable to go to college. This allows me to really take advantage of my education and focus on my studies without the added stress of having to work multiple jobs.”

Keller worked three CONTINUED »

Celebration for reaching $1,000,000 status of business passed throughout our local heritage valley chapter!

On September 13, 2012 BNI Heritage Valley celebrated a milestone in their chapter. This chapter has reached $1,000,000 of business referrals passed within the chapter and the total is rapidly climbing. There are dedicated professional in the group that are very serious about networking and that is what makes this chapter prosper.

BNI - Business Network International is a business and professional marketing program whose primary purpose is to exchange qualified business referrals. It is the most successful organization of its type in the world today, with nearly 6500 chapters in operation in 49 countries. Last year, BNI passed over 6.2 million referrals resulting in more than $2.6 billion U.S. dollars worth of business for our participants. Our uniqueness is that there is only one person per business category and we are a sales team devoted to passing referrals to one another.

Locally our chapter meets at El Pescador in Fillmore every Thursday at 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. If you know of someone who is looking to take their business to the next level, please have them visit our chapter or contact Theresa Robledo at 805-625-4450 email: Theresa@DiamondRealtyTeam.com or Ari Larson at 805-794-7590 email: petenari55@hotmail.com

Ventura, CA - Community Memorial Health System welcomes Wilfred G. Garand as its Vice President of Planning and Managed Care, replacing Michael Lurie who retired after over 30 years of service to Community Memorial Health System.

Will comes to CMHS with 20 years experience at hospitals and healthcare systems in the Southern California area.

In his position, Garand will focus on managed care payer relationships and negotiations/re-negotiations of related payer arrangements, as well as providing leadership of business development activities and strategic planning process.

Will received his Masters in Health Information Management and MBA from Claremont Graduate University, and his Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial & Labor Relations from Cornell University, New York and is a member of:

• The Healthcare Roundtable/Managed Care and Revenue Officers
• Health Care Financial Management Association (HFMA)
• Healthcare Association of Southern California (HASC)
• Voluntary Hospital Association (VHA)

Community Memorial Health System is 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 County, California.

DATE: Friday, September 21st
TIME: 5:30 P.M.
LOCATION: At the Peace Pole in front of the Fillmore City Hall on Central Avenue.

A Peace Pole is recognized as a symbol of peace throughout the world. The International Day of Peace began in 1932 through a United Nations proclamation, “devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations.” It was expanded in 2001 to a call for a day of global cease fire and nonviolence.

In 2010, the Fillmore Peace Pole was installed. The community of Fillmore gathered together for a special dedication ceremony. Many members of the community contributed donations to make the purchase possible. All ages met at different locations throughout Fillmore to make paper cranes and at the ceremony one thousand cranes were beautifully draped over trees and bushes.

The pole is made of limestone and stands seven feet above ground. The words, “May Peace Prevail on Earth” are translated into 6 other languages and Braille as well.

Please join us for a short commemorative celebration to honor International Day of Peace this Friday, September 21st at 5:30 p.m. All are welcome!

For more information please contact Sarah Hansen at 524-0132.

More than ever, Peace is needed in our schools, communities, our country, and the world.

In April 1960, the newly formed League of Women Voters Ventura County held one of its first Candidates' Forums for Ventura city council candidates. The Voter Service spokesperson for the League said, “After looking at the sample ballot for Tuesday's city council election, we feel that the only way voters can make an intelligent decision on the 12 candidates running for office is to see, hear and question them." An article in the local newspaper urged citizens to attend the forum to combat "voter apathy".

Forward 50 years and the League of Women Voters Ventura County is still providing candidates' forums to combat voter apathy and provide citizens with an opportunity to "see, hear and question them". Helen LaMonte, Voter Service Director, has announced the following schedule of candidates' forums for several cities of the county. Citizens are urged to attend the forum in your community and meet the people seeking office.

The following candidates' forums have been scheduled:
Fillmore City Council, City Clerk & City Treasurer Candidates' Forums on Wednesday, September 26th from 6:30 - 8:45PM at the City of Fillmore City Hall, 250 Central Avenue, Fillmore

Helen LaMonte, LWVVC Voter Service Director

Fillmore High School has been very busy since this school year started on August 22, 2012. We had a super successful homecoming last week where our football team beat the Village Christian Crusaders 35-17. Flashes Arcade was this year’s homecoming theme and the senior float won 1st place, the freshmen 2nd, the juniors 3rd and the sophomore 4th. On another note, this week is Santa Paula week with the big rivalry game on Friday! Make sure you buy your tickets for the game before they sell out! You can purchase your tickets at the high school in the student store from Lynn Cole. GO FLASHES!