Monday night December 20th to early hours of December 21st will be a Total Lunar Eclipse.

Penumbral Eclipse Begins: 9:29 PM
Partial Eclipse Begins: 10:33 PM
Total Eclipse Begins: 11:41 PM
Greatest Eclipse: 12:17 AM
Total Eclipse Ends: 12:53 AM
Partial Eclipse Ends: 2:01 AM
Penumbral Eclipse Ends: 3:04 AM

This Total Lunar Eclipse is well placed with the maximum amount of earth’s shadow coverage just off the coast of Baja California.

This could be an excellent opportunity for budding astronomers and students to test their observing skills. Try recording your estimates of the Moon's brightness every ten minutes during totality using the Danjon Scale.

The French astronomer A. Danjon proposed a useful five point scale for evaluating the visual appearance and brightness of the Moon during total lunar eclipses. 'L' values for various luminosities are defined as follows:

L = 0 Very dark eclipse.
Moon almost invisible, especially at mid-totality.
L = 1 Dark Eclipse, gray or brownish in coloration.
Details distinguishable only with difficulty.
L = 2 Deep red or rust-colored eclipse.
Very dark central shadow, while outer edge of umbra is relatively bright.
L = 3 Brick-red eclipse.
Umbral shadow usually has a bright or yellow rim.
L = 4 Very bright copper-red or orange eclipse.
Umbral shadow has a bluish, very bright rim.

The assignment of an 'L' value to lunar eclipses is best done with the naked eye, binoculars or a small telescope near the time of mid-totality. It's also useful to examine the Moon's appearance just after the beginning and before the end of totality.

During the eclipse, the Moon will be in eastern Taurus near the border with Gemini. The bright red star Aldebaran ("Eye of the Bull") lies 20 degrees west of the Moon. The winter constellations Gemini, Auriga, Taurus and Orion surround the eclipsed Moon.

Past observations I have had of a Total Lunar Eclipse, the Moon looks like a 3-dimensional “peach” in the night sky. Photographing a lunar eclipse presents challenges to getting the right exposure from the partial phases, with bright white crescents to the dark ruby red colors during totality. Your best bet is to use an ISO setting of 400 and vary exposure times. Just watching a Total Lunar Eclipse, especially during totality, is a beautiful and wonderful experience. Let’s hope for good weather and clear skies, bundle up and grab a lounge chair and enjoy the show.

IRS Reminds Taxpayers to Use E-file and Direct Deposit to Avoid an Undelivered Refund

LOS ANGELES, CA. - The Internal Revenue Service is looking for 23 taxpayers from Fillmore, Piru and Santa Paula who can claim their share of undelivered refund checks totaling over $29 Thousand. These undelivered refund checks were returned to the IRS by the U.S. Postal Service due to mailing address errors. The IRS can reissue the checks, which average $1,289 after taxpayers correct or update their addresses with the IRS.

Nationally, there are 111,893 taxpayers with undelivered refunds, totaling $164.6 million with an average refund of $1,471.

“If you think you are missing a refund, the sooner you update your address information, the quicker you can get your money,” said Anabel Marquez, Los Angeles IRS Spokeswoman. “A taxpayer only needs to update his or her address once for the IRS to send out all checks due.”

If a refund check is returned to the IRS as undelivered, taxpayers can generally update their addresses with the “Where’s My Refund?” tool on www.irs.gov. The tool also enables taxpayers to check the status of their refunds. A taxpayer must submit his or her Social Security number, filing status and amount of refund shown on their 2009 return. The tool will provide the status of their refund and, in some cases, instructions on how to resolve delivery problems.

Taxpayers checking on a refund over the phone will receive instructions on how to update their addresses. Taxpayers can access a telephone version of “Where’s My Refund?” by calling 1-800-829-1954.

While only a small percentage of checks mailed out by the IRS are returned as undelivered, taxpayers can put an end to lost, stolen or undelivered checks by choosing direct deposit when they file either paper or electronic returns. Taxpayers can receive refunds directly into their bank account.

The IRS also recommends that taxpayers file their tax returns electronically. E-file reduces errors on tax returns and speeds up refunds. E-file combined with direct deposit is the best option for taxpayers; it’s safe, easy and fast.

The public should be aware that the IRS does not contact taxpayers by e-mail to alert them of pending refunds and that such messages are common identity theft scams. The agency urges taxpayers not to release any personal information, reply, open any attachments or click on any links to avoid malicious code that will infect their computers. The best way for an individual to verify if she or he has a pending refund is going directly to www.irs.gov and using the “Where’s My Refund?” tool.

Take a break from the hectic activities of the season! The Fillmore Friends of the Library will host their annual open house from 1-5 pm on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at the Fillmore Library. They will provide refreshments throughout the afternoon. At 3:30 Jan Brett's "Gingerbread Friends" and some other fun stories about winter will be read. There will be prizes and treats for everyone. Come spend a cozy afternoon at your Fillmore Library, located at 502 East Second Street. For information, phone 524-3355.

Ventura, CA - Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast and Brownilympics are searching for volunteers to help on the Brownilympics event committee.

Brownilymics is a day of sports and fun for Daisy (5 & 6 years) and Brownie Girl Scouts (7 & 8 years).

The theme is “Every Girl Goes Home a Winner” and the purpose is to enhance each young girls self worth through a day of fun and sporting events. Each girl, along with her troop can participate in eight events offered.

The uniqueness of Brownilympics is that, it is one event in the “girl scout” year that the Dads are invited to participate. It is the volunteer Dads that run the events that the girls’ race.

This is the 13th year for Brownilympics where every girl participating receives a Brownilympic’s Medal. Each girl that wins or places in an event receives a star on the medal.

Every Girl Goes Home A Winner!

To volunteer, call Christine Tobin, Director of Girl Scouts Services, at (805) 233-2589.

My name is Kiana Hope and I’m a member of the Sespe 4H club. I would like to let the public know about a Community Service project that our club is participating in, this Holiday season.

Sespe 4H is having a sock drive, the NEW socks that we collect will be distributed to the needy children and adults of our community. We will distribute the socks on Tuesday December 21st at the North Fillmore Sheriff’s Department Storefront during the Toy & Coat giveaway. We are asking the community to please help us collect new socks for girls, boys, men and woman. You can donate your socks at the following locations Bella’s Teas & Treats, Double a Café, Santa Clara Valley Bank, San Cayetano School office, and the Post office.

Thank you and Happy Holidays
Kiana Hope
Sespe 4H Club

Because of the heightened use of energy due to low temperatures and the increased use of candles, fireplaces and holiday lights, home fires during the holiday are a major concern for the American Red Cross. Nearly 47,000 fires occur during the winter holidays, claiming more than 500 lives each year. In Ventura County alone, the American Red Cross has responded to 25 home fires in the past year, free of charge, helping Ventura County residents recover from the devastation to their homes.

With the dramatically increased risk of fire and other dangers during the holiday season, the American Red Cross, Ventura County Chapter encourages the community to be cautious and to keep safety in mind while enjoying this holiday season. Follow these simple steps to help ensure you and your loved ones enjoy a safe and happy holiday:

If you would like to speak with a representative of the American Red Cross in Ventura County, please feel free to contact me at (805) 687-3322.

Sincerely,
Katrina Sill
Katrina Sill, Public Relations Associate
351 S Hitchcock Way, Suite B-200
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
805.687.3322
805.687.3344 fax
ks@surfmedia.com, www.surfmedia.com

Since both Christmas and New Year’s Day fall on a Saturday this holiday season, Santa Clara Valley Disposal will maintain its regular Friday trash and recyclables collection schedule on Dec. 24 and its trash and green waste collection schedule on Dec. 31.

As a special holiday feature, residents may put out twice the amount of trash at no extra charge during the two weeks following Christmas. Please make sure the trash is in bags. We will also collect extra recyclables, but please make sure to flatten all boxes.

Also, Santa Clara Valley Disposal is making it easy for their customers to recycle their Christmas trees. All customers need to do is remove the ornaments, hooks, lights, tinsel, bows, nails and tree stand, then cut the tree into sections no more than 4 feet long and place in the yard waste barrel on their scheduled pickup day.

Please note, however: Flocked trees cannot be recycled.

For more information, call 647-1414.

Ventura, CA. - Community Memorial Hospital is offering a free support group for stroke patients on the second Wednesday of each month.

Families, friends and caregivers of patients also are invited to attend the support group meetings, which run from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the eighth-floor board room at CMH, 147 N. Brent St.

A stroke happens unexpectedly and shatters the routine of daily life. This support group is designed to provide participants the opportunity to share their experience with others. Participants also gain vital information regarding strokes as well as learn coping and recovery skills at the meetings.

For more information, call (805) 667-2818 or email strokeaware@cmhhospital.org.

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 nine family-practice health centers entitled Centers for Family Health. The health system is located in Ventura County, California.

A message from Mrs. Chaney:

This is to let you know that I will be addressing the City Council on behalf of Grad Nite Live on Tuesday the 14th of December to ask them to allow us (Grad Nite Live) to continue using the property at the end of Orange Grove Ave for our storage of cars/rv's that we receive and especially an enclosed container that stores our Yard Sale donations. The property was given/dedicated to Super Seal and Stripe 6 or 7 years ago by the City and now the City Manager wants to ignore the previous arrangements. Please "tune in" or be there at 6 PM (new time) Tuesday December the 14th.

GRAD NITE LIVE needs all the support we can muster. If you need more information before the 14th call me at 524-4909 or 407-5759. Thank you, Mrs Chaney.

We need more votes!

Just click here... www.refresheverything.com/sespeauditorium ...and please pass it on to your friends and family!

Keep on voting, we need to get under 100 in the rankings to stay in the running for next month!

The top 100 runners-up from each category will be automatically transferred over to the next month's voting period.

THANKS EVERYONE!
Janet Foy

This year’s Piru Christmas theme contest was won by Natalie Martinez and Lupita Ruvalcaba 5th and 6th graders at Piru School.

This year’s Piru Christmas theme contest was won by Natalie Martinez and Lupita Ruvalcaba, 5th and 6th graders at Piru School.

Piru's North Pole Fantasy theme for the 33rd Piru Christmas Parade, scheduled for December 11th, Saturday, at noon. Immediately following the Parade will be our post parade festivities at the Piru Depot. The parade awards ceremony will commence at 2:00 pm.

Dan Torres & the new Piru River Band, also DJ Paul Viaz Inlakech Mariachi, Folklorco Dancers, Horse Shoe Tournament, Cash prizes, for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winner, please bring your own chair. Trackless Train rides, and more.

Don't forget great food TJ tacos, tamales, Elvia's tri tip, Poncho's Restaurant, U Scream Ice Cream, What'z Up Doggie, Railway Cafe, Paul's Kettle Corn, corn dogs, Fillmore Band Uniforms fundraising, Relay for Life, Mary's Jewelry, homemade items, Ray's Citrus labels, Photo-art say it with a word, and Dave's Woodworks.

Kids from the Sespe Players Musical Theater workshop will perform on stage at the Sespe Auditorium, 627 Sespe Avenue in Fillmore, Sat. Dec. 18th, 2 pm. There will only be one performance of this very popular and upbeat musical set in the early 60’s. This will be Sespe Players third Musical Theater Workshop Performance having completed “Grease” last spring and “The Wiz” last summer.

Please come out to support our children in the Performing Arts, their talent and dreams!

Admission is by donation to support the arts. No reservations required.

For information on future musical theater workshop performances, contact Priscilla Rzezuski (805) 524-0553.

As FFA members, we know that the motto “Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve” is put into action by participating in different activities. We participate in Supervised Agriculture Experiences (SAE) which for most of our students is represented by raising their fair animal and taking the project to market. The SAE project is funded by the student. The student must show planning, managing and financial knowledge of the SAE project to be successful. Career Development Events (CDE) help us prepare for the job market by teaching students to think critically, communicate clearly and to perform effectively. Fillmore FFA students have been preparing for the job interviewing and public speaking contests which will be held in February. Throughout the year, students also attend conferences that promote leadership and team building. To help students attend these conferences, our FFA Booster Club have fundraisers. Some of you might have attended our Freedom Breakfast on the 4th of July or our Barn Dance which were both successful fundraisers.

The inspiration for our latest fundraiser came to us while at National Convention. While in Indianapolis, we had the opportunity to choose from hundreds of Ag related farms and companies to tour. While on a tour, we started thinking about how many Ag businesses we have in our hometown of Fillmore. We came up with the idea to make a calendar of our FFA members and local ag companies. The calendar would be sold as a fundraiser and our FFA members would get an opportunity to explore the different Ag businesses. For the past two weeks, FFA members have been visiting these businesses and taking a photo with them for the calendar. We have already been invited back to several of these locations for tours. The support of the owners and managers for this fundraiser has been greatly appreciated. The calendars will go on sale later this week for $10 each.

Brooke Aguirre is the Fillmore FFA Chapter Reporter

The Fillmore Citizen’s Patrol annual Christmas movie is being offered for free for all children on Saturday, Dec. 11th at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. The movie this year is “Megamind”. Plan to attend this fun event!

The F.H.S. Alumni Association will be selling Alumni Coffee Mugs, and the 9 mile dvd in front of Von's on Friday, and Saturday, December 17th and 18th. There are a few commemorative programs from the 100th game that will be for sale to. Please come to Von's on the 17th, and 18th, and support your Alumni Association. These items will make the perfect Christmas for that special Alumni. If you wish to purchase these items before December 17th, and 18th, Please call the Alumni Office at 805-524-0416. Go Flashes!

’The Rotary Club of Ventura is currently conducting its annual Rotary “Coats for Kids” project, which benefits many underprivileged children and families in the west county area. This is the seventh year this project has been run by the Rotary Club of Ventura. This year, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department’s Headquarters, Fillmore, Ojai, and Camarillo area stations have joined forces with the Rotary Club to expand the program.

Spearheaded by the Rotary Club of Ventura and in partnership with Ventura South Rotary, Ventura East Rotary, and Oxnard Sunrise Rotary, the project is designed to collect, clean and distribute over 10,000 coats and jackets of all sizes. The Rotary Club of Ventura organizes the project. The Ventura County Star, Gold Coast Broadcasting and Four Seasons Cleaners are the project’s sponsors.

The goal of the project is to provide children and adults with warm coats for the winter season that they would not otherwise be able to have. Donated coats may be either new or used. They are collected at various locations throughout the west county area, picked up by volunteer members from the various Rotary clubs, and taken to Four Seasons Cleaners of Ventura, where they are cleaned free of charge. Four Seasons Cleaners then returns the coats to the Rotary Club of Ventura for distribution. Recipients of the cleaned coats are service organizations and schools in the community including the Boys & Girls Club of Oxnard and Ventura, the Rescue Mission, The Salvation Army, local churches, and Casa Pacifica.

Last year 7,000 coats and jackets were given to children and adults in the greater Ventura community. The Rotary Club of Ventura also distributes coats at its annual Christmas Party in December. Last year over 50 needy elementary school students from Lincoln, E P Foster and Sheridan Way schools were able to select coats for themselves and for members of their families. Hundreds of coats were also distributed via local service organizations to those in need in the Saticoy area and the city of Fillmore, with the assistance of the Sheriffs West County Headquarters Station. This year the club will again distribute coats and jackets to children from the same schools, and will expand their outreach to support coat distributions to those in need in the communities of Saticoy, El Rio, Camarillo, Ojai, and Fillmore.

In addition to the regular collection box sites that have been used in past years and which can be found at www.venturarotary.org., the Sheriffs Department has provided additional collection locations at police stations and some city government locations in Camarillo, Ojai, and Fillmore. A box is also located next to the Headquarters patrol station desk located at the Sheriff’s Complex at the Government Center in Ventura. Donations of coats and jackets of all sizes will be gratefully accepted through December 31, 2010.