Announcing the Book Drive for the Kids of Piru. Their goal is 2000 books. Currently they have 1000. The books will be handed out at the Piru Christmas Parade on December 11. Contact the Fillmore Police Station at 524-2233 for drop-off information.

Santa Clara Valley Hospice
Home Support Group Inc.

A light will be shining on the Hospice “Light Up A Life” Tree at the Fillmore Plaza, 251 Central Ave., Fillmore, CA. Join us for the Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, November 27, 2010 at 5:00 PM. These names were received November 3 - 10, 2010

IN MEMORY OF:
Sandy Everhart
All past members Fillmore
Women’s Service Club
Robert J. Hoy
Lucian Meyers
Eric (Rick) Godfrey
Bret Godfrey
Vena Godfrey
Louis Meehl
Grace Meehl
Terry Meehl
Kathy Black
Nadine Randall
Dale Hutchins
LaRue Hays
Beverly Penrod
George Penrod
Joy Rogers
Cleo Chilikas
Mary Bamman
Jo Anne Bamman
Pat Bamman
Bill Bamman
Mary Ann Alvarez
John Chapman Morris
IN HONOR OF:
Cathy Barringer
Maiya & Bill Huerra

A light will be shining on the Hospice “Light Up A Life” Tree at the Piru Center Street Park. Join us for the Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, November 20, 2010 at 5:30 PM. These names were received from Piru, November 3 - 10, 2010

IN MEMORY OF:
Ron Strawn
Lola Alcozar
Greg Alcozar
Ronnie Alcozar

Piru Reading List:
These names were received from Piru, October 27 to November 3, 2010
IN MEMORY OF:
Paul A. Perez
Delia Hernandez
Nana Lucy Gonzales
Dino Lovato
Grandpa Zeke Hernandez
Bill Bishop
Melinda Bishop
Mae & Morris King
Josie Bishop

These names were received from Piru, November 3 - 10, 2010
IN MEMORY OF:
Ron Strawn
Lola Alcozar
Greg Alcozar
Ronnie Alcozar

These names were received from Piru, November 10 - 15, 2010
IN MEMORY OF:
Raymond Valenzuela
Barbara K. Ponce
Ignatio & Amanda Ortega
Anthony Golson S.R.
Lee & Ramona Golson
“Baby Lee” Golson
Jimmy Nunez Ruiz
Lonnie Kenneth Ruiz
Julio Alcantar
Vanda Roberts
Susana Sanchez
Ricardo Rangel
Justin Anthony Torres
Arnulfo Sanchez
Guadalupe Rangel

About Hospice of Santa Clara Valley
Hospice of Santa Clara valley was started in 1980 and is non-profit corporation serving Santa Paula, Fillmore, Saticoy and Piru. All funds raised remain in the communities served. All services are without charge and it is a Volunteer Hospice.

Hospice provides for the psychological and spiritual needs of those with life-limiting illness, and their families. Hospice goals are to maintain the patient in their home and pain free.

Everyone in this geographical area is eligible for Hospice services, which include practical and emotional support, nursing in cooperation with medical model Hospices, counseling, social services, chaplain, if desired, and trained volunteers to assist with respite care, medical transportation, medical equipment loan, or whatever is helpful to the family.

Hey! There’s a great Yoga class for all Fillmore Middle School and High School students AND IT’S FREE. It’s at Fillmore’s Health and Wellness Center, 448 Santa Clara St, Fillmore on THURSDAYS from 5-6 p.m. Come learn to stretch and improve balance and strength; great for athlete & non -athlete alike! Don’t eat just before coming, and take off your shoes at the door. Professional athletes of all kinds use Yoga to feel better and increase performance. Try yoga.

In observance of Thanksgiving Day, the employees of Santa Clara Valley Disposal are taking the day off on Thursday, Nov. 25. As a result, Fillmore residential customers will have their trash and recyclables collected a day later than normal, on Saturday, Nov. 27.

The regular Friday schedule will resume the following week.

For more information, call 647-1414.

The Humane Society of Ventura County will hold its 27th annual “Santa Paws” fund-raiser during the first two Sundays in December where pets – along with their families – can have their pictures taken with Santa.

The first “Santa Paws” event will be held Dec. 5 at the Ventura Beach Marriott Hotel, 2055 East Harbor Boulevard, Ventura. The second is set for Dec. 12 at the Humane Society of Ventura County’s shelter at 402 Bryant Street in Ojai. Both will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The cost is $20 for one 4 x 6 photo, but for an addition donation of $10 or more, families can have a compact disc containing all the digital photos taken of them. Photos and CDs will be mailed or persons can pick them up at the shelter. They will not be processed that same day.

Greg Cooper, a professional photographer who also teaches at the Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara, is the photographer.

“It is so entertaining to watch Jolene Hoffman, our shelter director, inter-act with the animals to get that ‘perfect photo,” said Sherry Brockus, HSVC’s executive director. “She saves her ‘squeaky voice’ all year to use with Santa. A great time is had by all.”

Parking at the Marriott hotel will be validated and will be free for Santa Paws participants.

Proceeds go to the care of animals at the HSVC’s shelter. Information: 646-6505 or 656-5031.

FFA students participating in a workshop.
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Each April, California FFA members elect six outstanding individuals to represent them as California’s state officers. The officers have various duties, one of which includes traveling throughout California to visit High School FFA Chapters giving leadership and educational workshops. On Sunday October 31st, Lindsey Anderson, State Vice- President, and Jessica Vazquez, State Reporter, arrived in Fillmore to visit our chapter.

Lindsey is a 2010 graduate from Escalon, CA, where she participated in CDE’s like parliamentary procedure, job interviews, and Ag sales. Her SAE projects were swine and she was an Agriscience National Winner. Lindsey held FFA officer positions of Secretary and President in her Chapter, as well as Vice-President in the Delta-Cal Section. Lindsey’s favorite aspects of FFA are the opportunities it offers students and she believes the organization can change members lives. I asked Lindsey what influenced her to become an FFA member. She explained that her parents were FFA members in High School, and that they got her interested in the organization.

Jessica Vazquez likes how diverse FFA is and how it can reach so many students from different backgrounds. Jessica, whose father is an Ag Teacher, graduated in 2010 and is from Cottonwood, California. She was active as Chapter Reporter, Secretary and President. She also was a Regional Reporter and President. Jessica enjoyed SAE swine, lamb and steer projects and her CDE’s included fruit tree judging, Ag issues and prepared public speaking. Jessica’s parliamentary procedure team was 2nd in the Nation. When asked why she ran for state office, Jessica said she wanted the opportunity to positively impact students’ lives.

The evening started with Mr. Ricards and the chapter officers taking Lindsey and Jessica to dinner and then to the Haunted House at the School Farm. We were joined at the farm by Santa Paula FFA Chapter Officers and their visiting officers Casey Erickson, State Sentinel, and Jacquelynne Garcia, State Secretary. On Monday, the Ag Careers and Technology class enjoyed a workshop taught by the state officers that included making butter and games to encourage communication. The remaining Ag classes participated in a workshop that explored Ag careers and educational pathways. While in Fillmore, the state officers were able to take a tour of Beylik Farms. Beylik Farms is a family business that produces hydroponicaly grown tomatoes, cucumbers and other produce. The state officers said they were impressed at the technology and the process used to grow the produce. The state officers were then taken to the Fillmore Unified School District office to meet District Superintendent Mr. Jeff Sweeney and Assistant Superintendent Mr. Mike Bush.

The state officers visit was a great experience. It was impressive to watch them interact with students in the classroom and watch how they represented FFA while visiting our community. Fillmore FFA Chapter would like to thank Lindsey Anderson and Jessica Vazquez for visiting our chapter and being great mentors for each FFA member.

Brooke Aguirre is the Fillmore FFA Chapter Reporter

Council Forum: Cost of new water recycling plant sparks comments

By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula City Council
Published: October 15, 2010 – Used by Permission

Santa Paula voters heard different takes on the cost of the city’s new water recycling plant from City Council candidates at the October 5 League of Women Voters Ventura County Forum held at the Community Center. On the panel were council incumbents Ralph Fernandez and Bob Gonzales, who are seeking their second four-year terms, former councilman Rick Cook, who served two terms before losing his bid for a third in 2006, and newcomers Duane Ashby and Rita Stafford.

Moderator David Maron asked the written questions submitted by audience members, and he noted he had several concerning true costs of the new water recycling plant. Specifically, candidates were asked for a breakdown of the $500,000 payment the city is now paying Santa Paula Water, the partnership formed by PERC and Alinda Capital that designed, built, operates and financed the $58 million facility, the first DBOF plant in the state.

Citizens will see their sewer bills climb to about $77 a month starting in November, after several rates increases. City users were paying approximately $42 a month into 2009.

Stafford noted it is “essential to go back where it all started,” and the bidding process might not have been as extensive as it should have been. “I don’t know how this came about, but it seems to me it would not have gotten to this point it at its inception if it had been taken care of very carefully.” And, Stafford said, she understands “another bill is coming through for the same project.”

Ashby said citizens must CONTINUED »

This is the last week to order Marie Callender Thanksgiving Pies. The Seniors will be turning their orders and money in on or before Monday the 15th. I will be taking orders over the phone until Friday the 19th, then all orders have to be called in to Marie Callender.

We will be at the Memorial Building getting the pies ready for delivery. If you are picking up your pies they will be ready by 12 noon until 4 PM...Please don't forget..We have to be out of the building by 5 P M. Please come in the Shiells Dr side door directly into the Main Room, your pies will be at that door. If you need a special delivery call me at 407-5759. Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving.

On Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at 3:30 PM, Julie Tumamait, a well known Chumash Elder, will present a program of traditional Chumash wisdom and culture. Come and enjoy an afternoon of stories, songs and cultural insight into the past and present of these native people. The library is located at 502 Second Street, Fillmore. This program is made possible by support from the Fillmore Friends of the Library.

Soroptimist International of Fillmore announces their Annual Fall Fashion Show, Saturday, November 20, 2010, at the Veterans Memorial Building, 511 Second Street, Fillmore. The theme is "A Year's Worth of Holidays". Doors open and Silent Auction beginning at noon, with a catered luncheon and Fashion Show to follow. Donation is $25.00. For tickets and information, contact Patti Walker 524-2731, or Cleo Friddle, 525-8071.

SANTA CLARA VALLEY HOSPICE
HOME SUPPORT GROUP INC.

A light will be shining on the Hospice “Light Up A Life” Tree at the Fillmore Plaza, 251 Central Ave. Fillmore, CA. Join us for the Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, November 27, 2010 at 5:00 PM

These names were received from Fillmore, October 27 to November 3, 2010
IN MEMORY OF:
Aaron Myers
Corinne Schmittou
Alice Schmittou
Leland Schmittou
Gertrude Schleimer
Gerry Schleimer
Anna Hunter
Bill Hunter
Ellen Hunter
Louie C. Garcia
Mary C. Garcia
Derek DeJarnette
Amy DeJarnette
Pat Dixon
Daryl R. Hansen
Tyler Bradley

A light will be shining on the Hospice “Light Up A Life” Tree at the Piru Center Street Park. Join us for the Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, November 20, 2010 at 5:30 PM

These names were received from Piru, October 27 to November 3, 2010
IN MEMORY OF:
Paul A. Perez
Delia Hernandez
Nana Lucy Gonzales
Dino Lovito
Grandpa Felse Hernandez
Bill Bishop
Melinda Bishop
Mae & Morris King
Josie Bishop

On December 8th, from 6pm to 8pm, Deputy Biter and Deputy Vasquez will conduct a Start Smart Program in the City of Fillmore. This program will be held at the Fillmore City Fire Station Briefing room.

The class centers on the different laws and aspects for new drivers or those teenagers looking to get their licenses. It gives the people an image of the consequences of their actions while driving. It gives a forum for those attending, to pose questions, learn laws pertaining to new drivers and different techniques for driving. The class will pose many situations and scenarios for new or perspective drivers, as well as their parents to reflect on and consider.

The Fillmore Police Department is now hosting a FREE Start Smart Driver Safety Education Class for teenagers and their parents/guardians. Classes are designed to: help newly and future licensed teenage drivers understand the responsibilities associated with driving a motor vehicle; show how a poor choice behind the wheel can change the lives of everyone involved; reduce the number of teen-related injuries and deaths due to motor vehicle collisions. December 08, 2010 6:00pm to 8:00pm, Fillmore City Fire Station, 711 Sespe Place, Spanish speaker available. For more information or to sign up for the Start Smart Class with your teenage driver contact the Fillmore Police Department, 524 Sespe Ave., Fillmore, 805-524-3665.

Move For Hunger presents the 2nd Annual Holiday Food Drive to be held this November to benefit Food Share, Inc., Ventura County’s regional food bank. Beginning Nov. 1, collection boxes will be conveniently located at nine Ventura County libraries. Local residents and library patrons are asked to donate unopened, non-perishable food items to benefit needy families this holiday season. Sheeler Moving and Storage, the local partner of Move For Hunger, will deliver all donations directly to the Food Shore pantry.

“This is a great opportunity for our company to give back,” said Mel Sheeler, president of Sheeler Moving and Storage. “The food bank does so much for our community, and we are always happy to get involved for such a worthy cause.”

From November 1 – 30th, collection boxes will be located at the following Ventura County Library Locations:
• Avenue Library
606 N. Ventura Ave. Ventura, CA
• Camarillo Library 4101 Las Posas Rd. Camarillo, CA
• Fillmore Library 502 Second St. Fillmore, CA
• Foster Library 651 E. Main St. Ventura, CA
• Meiners Oaks Library 114 N. Padre Juan Ave. Meiners Oaks, CA
• Oak Park Library 899 N. Kanan Rd. Oak Park, CA
• Oak View Library 555 Mahoney Ave. Oak View, CA
• Ojai Library 111 E. Ojai Ave. Ojai, CA
• Prueter Library 510 Park Ave. Port Hueneme, CA

Last year over 1,400 lbs. of food was collected and we are hoping this year to gather even more. As the holiday season approaches with all the shopping, decorating and merry-making it is easy to forget those in need.
“The holiday season can be difficult for many families, often making it hard to put food on the table,” said Chris DeVan, director of food sourcing and purchasing at FOOD Share. “We are thankful to Ventura County libraries and Sheeler Moving and Storage for being champions for FOOD Share and helping to making the Move For Hunger 2nd Annual Holiday Food Drive happen.”

All non-perishable food items are appreciated as donations; however the items most needed are: Canned tuna, chicken and meats, canned soups, canned beef stew, canned fruits, canned vegetables, canned beans, canned spaghetti sauce, spaghetti, rice, dry beans, macaroni & cheese, peanut butter, jelly (in plastic), fruit juices (canned, plastic bottles & boxes) and hygienic items such as toothpaste and deodorant.
For more information about Move For Hunger and their 2nd Annual Holiday Food Drive please visit www.MoveForHunger.org or contact info@MoveForHunger.org.

About Move For Hunger
Move For Hunger is a non-profit organization that works with moving companies to pick up unwanted, unopened food during the moving process and deliver it to local food banks across the country. Move For Hunger has already collected more than 45,000 pounds of food and is quickly expanding their efforts nationwide. With the support of partner Wheaton World Wide Moving, Move For Hunger is turning the average food drive into one of the nation’s largest, year-round service programs, influencing millions.

About Food Share
A major 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 to more than 150 partner agencies throughout Ventura County.

Its Brown Bag and Snack Attack programs provide supplemental nutrition to nearly 2,000 low income seniors through 31 agencies and healthy nutritious after school snacks to approximately 2,400 children though 12 agencies countywide and provides food to more than 40,000 people each month. Information: (805) 983-7100 or www.foodshare.com.

"Defying the Onslaught" by Carmelita Miranda.
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Local photographer, Carmelita Miranda, has won recognition for her photography from the Channel Islands Professional Photography Association (CIPPA) in two separate categories. CIPPA is an affiliate of Professional Photographers of California. Carmelita won a merit and Best in Class – High School Senior Portrait for her print “My Sound of Music” at the competition held on November 8. This print featured FHS High School senior Claire Faith. This is the third consecutive quarterly competition in which photographers from KSSP Studios have been awarded Best in Class in the high school senior category. Carmelita also won Best in Class in the Nature category for her print entitled “Defying the Onslaught”

Professional photography competition at the local level has three judges who evaluate each entry on specific criteria, without knowing who the maker of the image is. Prints can earn up to 100 points. If a print receives 80 points, it receives a merit. Typically only about 1 out of 4 or 5 prints receives a merit in a competition. Often prints that are merit winners are submitted to state and national competitions.

Professional photography competitions are used by photographers to hone their skills and allows them to evaluate their work in comparison to other top photographers in the area.

Principal photographers at KSSP are Carmelita Miranda and Charles Morris. KSSP is a full service photography studio specializing in portrait, wedding and quinceanera photography (and video). KSSP Photographic Studios is the school photographer for Fillmore High School, but photographs high school seniors from all over Ventura County. For further information, please contact KSSP Photographic Studios at 524-6400 or visit http://ksspphotostudios.com.

Ventura, CA - Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast and California Lutheran University are teaming up and hosting the 2nd Annual Cookie Rally and Bake Off on January 15, 2011 from 10:00 to 3:00 at CLU’s Gilbert Sports & Fitness Center.

Local chefs from across Ventura County will participate in a Bake Off, creating original desserts with Girl Scout Cookies. Those on board to date are the Crowne Plaza Ventura, The Sidecar Restaurant, Kate’s Bakery and Simi Valley Firehouse #44.

Mother Daughter Girl Scout teams will also try their culinary skills in their division of the Bake Off.

Judging the event will be local celebrities and community leaders Lisa McKinnon, the Ventura County Star; Jacqui Irwin, Thousand Oaks City Council; Dee Dee Cavanaugh, Rancho Simi Recreation & Park District; Mary Olsen, General Manager KCLU; Christine Garboski, Nestle Food Kitchens; with more to be added in the following weeks.

On December 5th at 1:00 there will be a cookie drawing party at the Crowne Plaza Ventura. Chefs and Mother Daughter Teams will find out which cookie they will be using to create their dessert. The public is invited.

On the day of the event, there will be a silent auction and “tasting tickets” so that the public can sample the chef’s desserts and have the opportunity to help select the “People’s Choice”.

The money raised will help support the Girl Scout Leadership Program and Gold Award scholarships in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.

This Girl Scout Cookie Rally and Bake Off event kicks off our cookie season and is held on the first day of cookie sales, January 15th.

Santa Paula, CA. - The holidays are upon us; Halloween is behind us, and now is the time for thoughts turn to Holiday baking. Just in time, the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley has 2000 lbs of walnuts to sell. The nuts came to the Club courtesy of Black Mountain Ranch in Ojai, which has generously donated the walnuts to the Club, which is, in turn, selling the nuts by the bag, in their shell, at $5.00 per bag, (we expect the bags average 5 lbs each.) Those dedicated enough to want a 50-lb bag can make their purchase for $50.

Interested bakers, decorators, and walnut lovers of all ages are welcome to come to the Club at 1400 E. Harvard Blvd., Santa Paula to make their purchase Monday thru Friday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. The walnut sale will continue until the walnuts are gone, so don’t delay, come by the Club today!

The Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley thanks Black Mountain Ranch for thinking of us and for their kind and generous donation!