James McGee

Ventura County, CA, September 14, 2010 – After four months of tireless searching, the American Red Cross, Ventura County Chapter has hired James McGee as the new Regional Chief Executive Officer of Ventura County.

With a successful career in the health, consumer products, and technology industries, McGee brings a broad range of leadership and business development experience to the CEO position.

“I’m excited to bring my talents and experiences to a tremendous organization like the American Red Cross,” said McGee. I’m honored to carry forward a great legacy of providing critical services and support to local families in times of need.”

Most recently, McGee served as Staff Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Development at WellPoint, the largest health benefits company in the United States. During his time at WellPoint, McGee launched and led a variety of corporate-wide strategic initiatives focused on new growth for the company. McGee also held senior leadership roles across Corporate Development, Product Development, and Business Operations. During his tenure at WellPoint, McGee was instrumental in opening California Health and Longevity Institute, an innovative health and diagnostic center located in Westlake Village.

McGee started his professionally career with The Walt Disney Company and held a variety of management roles across Disney’s Corporate and Consumer Products Divisions. McGee also spent time as a technology consultant with boutique consulting firm Guidance Solutions based out of Marina del Rey, CA.

McGee earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Business from Wheaton College and completed a Master’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Operations and Management at the University of Southern California.

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This weeks Alumni Article features the the 1953 Football Champs. Fillmore High is very proud of their mighty Flashes in 1953. The Varsity squad captured seven of nine games and won the league championship for the first time in nine years. Led by co-captains Cesar Mendoza and Dick Fredericksen Fillmore's eleven rolled over seven straight foes after they lost their season's opener to Cantwell 14-6. Included in this victory string were non-league triumphs over Burbank 13-0, Paramount 19-6, and league wins over Hart 26-0, Oxnard 25-7, Lancaster 13-12, and Ventura 33-13. One of their toughest contests that football season was against their arch-rival, Santa Paula. In a bruising, close game, the Fillmore Flashes pull it out with a 12-7 win. Closing out their highly successful season the Flashes dropped a tough 27-14 decision to St. Anthony, Catholic League Champs, in the C.I.F. playoffs. Fillmore's superiority in league play was shown by the placing of six men on the all-county team. They were - Roger Palmer tackle, Dave Goodenough end, Phil Blodgett guard, Dick Fredericksen fullback, Chuck Greer Quarterback, and Cesar Mendoza halfback. Coached by Ed Simmons - head coach, and Richard "Toolie" Palmer - asst coach, the Varsity squad of 1953 will long be remembered by Fillmore fans as one of the finest pigskin teams to represent Fillmore High. In celebrating the 100th meeting between the Flashes, and Santa Paula Cardinals this November 12th in Fillmore, the Alumni Associations is putting together a DVD highlighting this football Rivalry. The oldest High School Football series in Ventura County. To Pre-Order your DVD, please call the Alumni Association at 805-524-0416, or you can email your order now at cardsflashesdvd@att.net. $20.00 (Picked up at Alumni Office) or $25.00 (Mailed directly to you). Pre orders are going swiftly, so be sure to call or email yours in today. You will be billed in October and the DVDs will be available on November 12th and after. GO FLASHES!!!

All are invited to participate in an 8 week nutrition class at Fillmore’s Health and Wellness Center, 448 Santa Clara Street, Fillmore, starting October 5, 2010. The group will meet every Tuesday from 5:15 to 6;15 p.m. and will be facilitated by Mary Farkis, M.S., M.A. Mary has over 25 years of professional experience as a registered dietitian. Her classes emphasize taking responsibility for one’s own health in order to live life with love, joy and compassion.

Some of the health issues discussed during the class will include: Diabetes, obesity, high lipids, cancer and arthritis. By the use of easy exercises and breathing techniques, Mary will guide participants through the necessary nutritional and emotional changes needed to better love and serve oneself and others. By creating new positive habits, members can see decreases in blood pressure and cholesterol, reduction in stress levels and a normalizing of blood sugar and weight.

To optimize your health knowledge and success, join this dynamic group today. Call Janine at 524-4856 or 746-7345 to register. The eight week session is $60.00, payable in advance or in installments.

The Rotary Club of Fillmore just completed a community project to serve the students of Fillmore Christian Academy. A new library has been set up after several months of sanding, painting, putting in new flooring, adding shelves and books.

Many students and their parents visited the new library at Back to School Night last Wednesday, and Thursday was the official Grand Opening. The library is called the Martha Richardson Library as she was the first teacher of the school which started in September of 1993. It started as a one room school and now has progressed to six classrooms with students in grades K-8.

Martha, a member of the Noontime Rotary, will be the Librarian and will again encourage the students to read, read, read.

Thousand Oaks, CA. - KCLU will receive a 2010 National Edward R. Murrow Award on Oct. 11 in New York City.

Lance Orozco, news director for the NPR station, will accept the award for Best Audio Sports Reporting in the small market radio division for his story “The Oldest Dodger.” Orozco profiled Tony Malinosky, a 100-year-old Oxnard man who is the oldest-living member of the Major League Baseball team.

KCLU has won more than 140 regional awards for broadcasting excellence in the last decade, but this is the station’s first national award since it signed on in 1994. KCLU is the only small-market radio or television station in California that is receiving a national Murrow award.

The Radio Television Digital News Association presents the annual Murrow awards to honor excellence in electronic journalism. RTDNA is the world’s largest professional organization exclusively serving the electronic news profession. This year, 59 news organizations including NBC News, CBS News and The Associated Press will receive 89 awards.

Orozco and KCLU General Manager Mary Olson will attend the black-tie ceremony at the Grand Hyatt New York. Orozco, a broadcast journalist for nearly 30 years, worked at KEYT-TV, KCBS-TV and other television and radio stations throughout California before joining KCLU in 2001.

Orozco and Program Director Jim Rondeau produce local news and public affairs programs in tiny studios at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks. The university, which operates KCLU as a public service, broke ground Aug. 24 on the $2.9 million KCLU Broadcast Center. The 6,570-square-foot center, slated for completion in June, will feature four state-of-the-art production rooms, including what will be the station’s first dedicated newsroom. It will also have a classroom and lab to train broadcast journalism students and facilities for community events.

KCLU broadcasts local and national programming to 70,000 weekly listeners on 88.3 FM in Ventura County and 1340 AM and 102.3 FM in Santa Barbara County. Live streaming and archives are available at http://www.kclu.org.

To listen to “The Oldest Dodger” go to http://kclu.org/news/local/story.php?story_id=538.

This family event, including barbecue and entertainment, will benefit Veterans!

Ventura – On Saturday, October 2 from noon to 3 p.m. the first ever Veterans Appreciation Fundraiser, Barbecue and Concert will be held at the Veterans Home of California—Ventura, 10900 Telephone Road, Ventura (at Wells Road). Tickets are only $10 each and can be purchased by calling 805-659-7506 or 805-659-7526.

Voted Ventura County’s most dynamic and captivating classic country band, the Sweet County Band will perform at the benefit to support Veterans at the Veterans Home. The band is comprised of some of Ventura County’s finest, seasoned musicians. The excellent quality of their music and beautiful vocal harmonies will make this an unforgettable day!

“This special event will honor the brave men and women Veterans who reside at this new Veterans Home who have served our country so bravely,” said Brenda Manke, Administrator, Veterans Home of California—Ventura. “And we are so fortunate that the wonderful Sweet Country Band has volunteered their time and talents for this great event!” All proceeds will go toward the Veterans Morale and Welfare Fund, which will be used to purchase items such as recreation equipment, arts and crafts supplies, tickets to theaters or other outings, special sports channels and more.

Currently, 29 men and women Veterans are residing at the Veterans Home. In order to be eligible for admission, a Veteran must be 62 or older, or younger if disabled, a California resident and have served honorably in the military. The California Department of Veterans Affairs’ (CalVet’s) mission is to promote and deliver the benefits provided by the grateful State of California to its deserving Veterans and their families—with a vision for California’s Veterans to live the highest quality of life with dignity and honor. It is the Department’s goal to provide the best long-term care and enhanced quality of life for all California Veterans Home Members. The Veterans Homes of California provide California’s Veterans with a living environment that protects their dignity and contributes to their feeling of self-reliance and self-worth. The Homes’ amenities are intended to provide residents excellent care in a homelike environment and foster a sense of community. For additional information, please call 805-659-7502. “On behalf of CalVet and my staff members, we encourage everyone to come out for a great time, a great barbecue and a chance to support our deserving Veterans,” added Manke.

Joe Nunez and daughter Joanne Fore on the occasion of his 100th birthday celebration.

On Saturday, August 21, Joe Nunez celebrated his 100th birthday with a surprise party at the Fillmore Convalescent Center. He was greeted with a lively rendition of Las Mananitas by over 50 friends and family members, many of whom he had not seen in many years. A wonderful variety of foods was prepared by niece Terry Vasquez and Matthias Gonzalez, Activities Director for the Convalescent Center and a grand-nephew of Joe's. A trio of delicious birthday cakes, provided by nieces Evelyn Aguirre, Lydia Leon & Marge Aguirre, was also enjoyed by all.

Joe was born on August 24, 1910, in El Monte, CA. He was the third child of 10, and oldest boy born to Ramon & Ysabel Nunez. As a small child, he moved with his family to Angel's Camp, CA, and then, when he was about 7 years old, to Piru. He clearly remembers much of the history of Piru, of a time when there was a food co-op, skating rink, and theater, among many other businesses. In 1937, he married Nettie Ramirez, who had been his next-door neighbor growing up. In 1952, their only child, Joanne Elaine, was born. The family moved to Fillmore in 1955, where he continued to work for Paul Goodenough and Goodenough Ranches for a total of 58 years. Upon his retirement in 1987, Joe & Nettie moved back to Piru. Nettie passed away in 1993, at which time Joanne, her husband Wayne Fore & their children Brianna & Chad moved to Piru with Joe, and they were able to provide support for one another.

Joe's family would like to thank the staff of the Fillmore Convalescent Hospital for their help and cooperation in making this celebration possible, and for their on-going care.

The Alzheimer’s Association’s annual Memory Walk® will take place 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 23 at Conejo Creek North. Hundreds of people from the surrounding Thousand Oaks area are expected to participate in this year’s event to raise awareness and funds to fight the disease.

The Alzheimer’s Association’s Memory Walk, is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research programs. Held annually in hundreds of communities across the country, this inspiring event calls on volunteers of all ages to raise funds to support the fight against Alzheimer’s including those living with the disease, families, caregivers, corporate and community leaders. Participants in Memory Walks across the United States have raised more than $300 million to date.

To start a team or make a donation, contact the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org/CaCentralCoast or (805) 484-6028.

About the Alzheimer's Association:
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s research, care and support. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. For more information visit www.alz.org.

Last week found Fillmore FFA members busy as usual. Here’s an update on current FFA activities and projects. During the summer, the FFA officers planted a field with pumpkin seeds. The field is now filled with pumpkins, although they still need some time to turn bright orange for October. Last week FFA members spent time weeding the pumpkin patch in preparation for the kindergartners visit at harvest time. Aaron Largen, ’10 and Riley Wright, ’11 have harvested their banana squash and loaded them up to take to the insectory as part of their Supervised Agricultural Experience. Craig Harvey’s, ’12, litter of eight piglets have been weaned from their mother, and will soon be ready to leave the farm. During last Fridays home football game several FFA members as well as booster members helped out with the BBQ and served up some delicious tri-tip sandwiches. This past weekend I had the opportunity as Ventura Sectional Treasurer to attend the Sectional Officer Leadership Conference in Atascadero. The conference covered things like team building, setting team goals and learning to trust your team members. We also learned simple but important things like how to give a good handshake, write thank you letters, how to present awards and activities to get people involved. At the conference, I learned a lot of valuable skills, and I am excited to bring them back and share them with my chapter.

Brooke Aguirre is the Fillmore FFA Chapter Reporter

As a reminder to the residents of Fillmore, the Fillmore Municipal Code prohibits the parking or storage of any vehicle upon any street, alley, or public parking lot, or upon any property owned or possessed by the city, for more than 72 hours (Fillmore Municipal Code Section 14.36.030).

The Municipal Code also prohibits the parking of recreational vehicles and trailers between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. on any street, alley or highway. (Fillmore Municipal Code Section 14.56.020).

These sections do allow for the parking of such vehicles for up to 7 days if someone is visiting a resident, but to do so, the Police Department must be notified before 11:00 p.m. on the first day the RV or trailer is so parked. This section also allows an RV or trailer to be parked upon any street for a period of 72 hours or less for the purpose of loading, unloading, or preparing the vehicle for use, or for a period of 24 hours or less to carry out emergency repairs, but to do so, the Police Department must be notified.

During the month of September, the Fillmore Police Department will be making a concerted effort to locate and remove abandoned vehicles and trailers at the owners’ expense.

The Municipal Code is available for review at City Clerk’s Office or online via the City of Fillmore’s website, www.fillmoreca.com. Notify the Police Department of an abandoned vehicle at 805-524-2233 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

(l-r) Dave Ewart (Violin) and Leslie Garman (Piano)

Dave Ewart, a Professional Violin Virtuoso, and Leslie Garman, on the Piano, and also a very talented Soprano, are performing for the ladies of the Fillmore Ebell Club. Mr. Ewart has played with four Symphony Orchestras; at the Hollywood Bowl; on over 500 CD; and on over 600 motion pictures. He is truly an amazing musician.
Leslie has sung with the San Luis Obispo Symphony, and was the premier soloist for numerous works with the Symphony. She is currently involved in the Santa Clarita Master Chorale, as a performer and charter member. It will be a music experience you will not forget.

We invite you to join us for this program that will start at 2:00, or come for the luncheon at 12:30, on Tuesday, Sept 28th, 2010, at the Fillmore Veterans Memorial Building - $10.00 for program only, $12.00 for lunch and program.

Anyone interested in more information or becoming a member of the Fillmore Ebell Club, please contact Melodie Stich at (805) 521-1400.

Please call Trisha Armstrong for reservations, at (805) 727-1901, by 6:00 PM, on Friday, September 24th.

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 September 18, 2010 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.

On Friday, September 17 United Water Conservation District will begin its annual water conservation release from Lake Piru. A total of approximately 33,000 acre-feet is expected to be released from that day through about the middle of November.

The release is being timed to coincide with the highest agricultural water demand period of the year in October. It is during late September and early October when the majority of local strawberries are planted, and during their first four to six weeks in the ground the seedlings require a large amount of water to get established.
On the 17th Santa Felicia Dam will begin releasing water at a rate of 400 cubic feet per second. As the water moves down lower Piru Creek and the Santa Clara River it will recharge groundwater supplies, and it is expected water will begin to arrive at the Freeman Diversion Dam at Saticoy about one week after the release begins. Once water starts to reach the Freeman it can then be provided to local farms for crop irrigation through United's two agriculture irrigation systems.

When the river water is sufficient to meet the demands of the two irrigation systems, the release rate at the dam will begin to be reduced to stretch out the period of the release for as long as possible. The longer that United can provide surface water for irrigation, the less time farms will be compelled to pump groundwater from already overdrafted groundwater basins on the Oxnard Plain.

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Ventura, California - Healthcare issues that aging baby boomers face as they become seniors will be the focus of a free seminar the Community Memorial Health System is holding on Tuesday, Sept. 28.

Lanyard Dial, M.D., a local family practitioner who specializes in geriatric medicine, will lead the seminar from 6 to 8 p.m. in the eighth-floor Nichols Auditorium at Community Memorial Hospital, 147 Brent St. in Ventura.

Dr. Dial will discuss how the healthcare system will adapt to the changing needs of baby boomers – Americans born between 1946 and 1964. He will emphasize the growing need to focus on function, rehabilitation and chronic disease management. Dr. Dial also will explain palliative and hospice care.

Dr. Dial, who is on staff at Community Memorial Hospital, received his medical degree from Washington University School of Medicine and completed his residency at Ventura County Medical Center’s Family Practice Residency Program. He is board certified in geriatric medicine as well as hospice and palliative medicine. Dr. Dial also is medical director and president/CEO of the Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association.

Admission is free but space is limited, so reservations are suggested. Call 805/652-5436, 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 nine family-practice health centers entitled Centers for Family Health. The health system is located in Ventura County, California.

On Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010, at approximately 9:14 p.m. Santa Paula Police Officers responded to a reported shooting in the area of the 100 blk. of E. Santa Anna St.. Upon officers’ arrival at the scene they discovered two gun shot victims, two males age 19 years old and 20 years old, were located at an apartment complex. Officers provided medical aid to the victim until Fire and EMS personnel arrived at the scene. The victims were transported by ambulance to the Ventura County Medical Center. There condition is unknown at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Santa Paula Police Department Detective Sergeant Ismael Cordero at (805) 525-4474. Those who wish to remain anonymous can contact the Ventura County Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Those providing information leading to the arrest of a suspect may be eligible for a $1,000.00 reward.

Cody Madison
Sergeant

The 2011 Miss & Teen Los Angeles County USA® Pageant is now accepting applications. Toay Productions has been providing young women with the opportunity to be the ambassador for the county of Los Angeles & Ventura County for over 10 years and awarded over 500,000 in cash, scholarship and prizes. The Teen & Miss titleholders will be awarded over $20,000 in entry fee/scholarship, photo shoot with KSSP photography, website designed, jewelry, tanning, make-up, exclusive gowns by California & Main and many other wonderful gifts. Our corporate sponsors for this event is DCH Honda of Oxnard www.hondaofoxnard.com , DCH Toyota of Oxnard www.toyotaofoxnard.com, California & Main, M&Mz Beauty Land of Westlake Village, Talent Lab dance studio of Westlake Village, H&R Block, and Alayna’s Prom & Bridal of Camarillo. These sponsors have helped to ensure that the new titleholder receives their scholarship or entry fee to the next state pageant.

This year’s pageant is geared toward giving young women a choice to compete at a state pageant or receive a $500.00 cash scholarship. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, never married or pregnant. Participants must be a resident of California for the past six months. Applicants attending college out of state may enter if their primary residents is in California. All participants will be taught communication skills, interview techniques, walking with confidence and grace and the importance of character. This year’s pageant is dedicated to increasing the awareness of early detection of Cancer, foster-care children and sickle-cell awareness. Toay Foster-Ortiz, Executive Director & President of Toay Productions goal is to makes sure that this event portrays these young women as positive role models, career and education focused humanitarians.

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