Bill Faith and Janine Rees, owners of The Scented Path.

For this season of giving, you are invited to become a Salvation Army “Angel” by picking up an “Angel Tag” at The Scented Path Apothecary located at 338 Central Avenue.
Each tag lists the name and age of a needy Ventura county child along with an age appropriate gift suggestion. After you purchase a gift, return it to The Scented Path in Fillmore or to The Salvation Army at 155 S. Oak Street, Ventura. Gifts will be then be sorted and made available for qualified families at A Toy and Joy Shop in Ventura. Food donations are also being accepted for the Salvation Army food drive. All donations should be received by December 17th, 2008.
For your convenience, The Scented Path has extended hours for the Christmas donating and buying season: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. If you’re looking for something in the unusual or healthy- natural realm, The Scented Path is an excellent option. Proprietors Bill and Janine have almost thirty years of perfume blending experience and can custom design any fragrance body care product to suit your gift-giving needs. Call 524-4856 for more information and don’t forget to pick up your Angel gift card and bring in your food donation.

Conway Spitler

An innovative research project puts new focus on California’s 446 Billion-a-year Problem. An “average” high school graduate earns $290,000 more over a lifetime—and pays $100,00 more in federal, state and local taxes—than a high school dropout.

Between 26 percent and 35 percent of all teenagers in California today are high school dropouts.

One of every three students who dropped out of 10th grade in 2004 was doing nothing four years later—neither going to school nor working.

The problems costs the state’s taxpayers $6.4 billion annually (from UC Santa Barbara Today).

Where: North Fillmore Police Storefront
642 Lemon Way
When: Monday, December 22, 2008
3pm – 6pm
Free Polaroid Picture with Santa Claus
One Picture per Family
Toys Given to Children
Residents of Fillmore, Piru & Bardsdale only
Proof of Residency may be Required

Thanks to our Sheriff’s Department for recently issuing citations to four men selling toys on Central without a city business license. A group of these L.A. hard core peddlers shows up in our town from time to time. They are very aggressive, to the extreme of being brazen, tactless and very bold. Hopefully anyone approached by peddlers will demand to see their Fillmore, up-to- date business license and call City Hall should they refuse. On a similar note, it’s time that the combined City Council and School Board take a stand against the absolute garbage that’s being peddled outside our schools. Here we live in a valley with magnificent fruit and produce growing abundantly; and our students get released from school to see peddlers selling fake flavored chicharrones with 15 or more artificial colors, preservatives and worse. I’ve looked and read the labels on some of this stuff. It’s like reading the glossary in a chemistry textbook. License or no license, these school peddlers must be restricted.

“31st Annual Piru Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival Set for Saturday, December 20th”
Community organizers in Piru are pleased to announce this year’s Christmas Parade will be held Saturday, December 20th in this historic town. This year’s theme is “Celebrate Christmas Piru Style”.
The day’s events will kick off with our annual parade, which will kick off at noon that Saturday. Our parade route will be begin at the Piru Elementary School and continue though downtown on Center Street. Judges viewing stage and announcers will be set up at the beautiful Piru Depot Plaza and Park. Following the parade will be a day full of activities at the downtown Depot and Park.
This year’s Grand Marshals are Julian and Margaret Rangel. These lifelong Piru residents will celebrate their 70th Wedding Anniversary in April 2009. Julian Rangel celebrated his 90th birthday this past June and Margaret is proud to announce she will turn 90 this February.
This beautiful couple have both resided in Piru their entire lives. Julian was a foreman for years with the Fillmore-Piru Citrus Association; Margaret is a homemaker and incredible cook and gardener. Their daughter is Delfina Beltran, married to John Beltran. They have two grand children, and two great grand children.
Following the parade will be vendors, exhibits and other activities in the beautiful Piru Depot and Gazebo Plaza Park. Activities will include the always popular Horseshoe Tournament and variety of vendors offering their unique items just in time for the holidays. Local DJ Paul Viaz will be mixing your favorite tunes all day.
That evening we will feature hometown favorite Dan Torres and the Piru River Band performing in the Gazebo Stage. Dan and his family always gets the crowd on their feet for what is sure to be another memorable holiday celebration in our beloved town. Please join in this always festive, fun and family celebration. For more information call 521-0527 or visit www. Pirupress.com

Enjoy free admission, cookies and cocoa at the Rancho Camulos National Historic Landmark Holiday Open House Saturday December 13. Visit the Museum Gift Shop and gently used book emporium for some unique holiday gifts from 11-3. Shop at the Camulos Antique and Craft market for reasonably priced treasures and quality holiday crafts from 9-4. Mrs. Santa will be there too. There is something for everyone at the Rancho Camulos Museum. Enjoy our unique setting and selection. Proceeds benefit our non-profit’s historical preservation, restoration, and educational efforts. Shop where the history, myth, and romance of old California still linger.
Rancho Camulos Museum is on the south side of highway 126, 2 miles East of Piru and 10 miles west of the I-5. Phone: (805) 521-1501. See www.ranchocamulos.org for details.

Conway Spitler

Always interesting to look back in history so as to remind us of "What was" and "What is"? The first teachers at Fillmore High School in 1913 were L. J. Clary, E. K. Durkee, G. A. Willett and H. Barr. These names were obtained from the school annuals. In the year 1921 Marie Schibsby came to Fillmore High with teachers Whipple, McGree, Davis, J. A. Galvin, Converse, Manske, Vine, Homrighausen, Milligan and Parker being colleagues. Year of 1938 was my graduation year and had these teachers at the high school: J. Alman, E. Jarrett, E. Kennedy, D. Main, C. Mitchell, W. Ross, M. Schibsby, B. Seimears, A. Smith, H. Bigger, A. Hansen, H. Kershner, W. Marple, L. Smith, W. Tilleson, M. Von Kanel, F. Walker, A. Case, V. Fremlin, E. Graham, and W. Knight. When we look back, too many of us, it seems like so many years since graduation, yet when you have a reunion those memories of teachers come back very quickly.

Ventura County, Calif. – The American Red Cross of Ventura County invites children from 3rd to 5th grade, to participate in the free Safe Kid’s Day on Saturday, December 13 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at Jack Boyd Community Center in Sarzotti Park, Ojai.

Hosted by the American Red Cross of Ventura County Youth Services Program, children will learn all types of emergency training during the day-long event. Highlights include the four-step Emergency Action Plan where kids learn what to do in an emergency, how & when to get help and what to do when help arrives. In addition, students will be trained in Water Safety, learning ways to prevent drowning and using safety precautions and rescue procedures for water activity. The Fire Safety segment will help kids understand how to prevent fires, the importance of controlling air flow to fire and developing ways to prevent burns.

Students will also learn ways to avoid motor vehicle injuries during the Safe Wheels training and learn the importance of using safety belts, cycling helmets & knee pads. Rules for school bus safety and preventing bicycle injuries will also be presented.

Other training includes Lost & Found, which outlines ways to prevent getting lost, and teaches kids how to make a preparation plan if lost. Students will also learn how to prevent choking and first aid procedures during All Choked Up.

The emergency training is conducted by high school students in the American Red Cross of Ventura County Youth Services Program. To prepare for training, high school students undergo First Aid Training and other emergency preparedness programs to instruct kids 7-11 years of age in safety skills.

To register for the event, call the American Red Cross of Ventura County at 805-987-1514, ext. 304 or email to youthvc@usa.redcross.org.

Since 1917, the American Red Cross of Ventura County has been meeting needs throughout the communities it serves. Each year, more than 1,200 local volunteers respond to more than 50 local disasters, teach tens of thousands of individual’s vital lifesaving skills, and support the men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces. The American Red Cross is not a government agency.

Fillmore, CA…..Santa is gearing up for his famous Christmas Eve journey to the homes of children all over the world. But first, he is making a few stops along the way, most notably on the Fillmore & Western Railway’s variety of holiday trains.

There are still seats available for families on the North Pole Express Wednesdays through Sunday evenings, Nov. 28-Dec. 26, with trains departing at 6:00pm and 7:30 pm. The one hour train ride journeys to the North Pole east of Fillmore, where it picks up Santa Claus, who climbs onboard to visit with all the children. Elves are onboard each railcar and entertain passengers by reading a Christmas story and leading everyone in singing Christmas carols. The jolly elves distribute a Christmas cookie and chocolate milk to everyone during the trip. Once back in town, Santa poses for photos with children and happily accepts their Christmas wish lists. Families are also invited to stroll through Santa’s Village in Central Park, downtown Fillmore, where there are craft and Christmas vendors, a Carousel and a food booth available.

The Christmas Tree Train runs on Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 29 through December 21 with two departures each day at 10:00am and 2:00pm. The 2-1/2 to 3 hour train ride takes passengers to a private Christmas Tree Farm, where they seek out and cut down their “perfect Christmas tree”. The tree is then loaded onto a flatcar and transported back to town. Santa visits with children and their families onboard the trip over and sits on the backporch of the business car while at the farm to pose for photos and collect wish lists. An onboard restaurant is also available during the trip.

“Dinner With Santa” trains depart on Friday and Sunday evenings at 5:30pm, Nov. 28 through Dec. 21. Families get to dine with the ole’ gent himself during the two hour trip.

For more information or to book passage on one of the Christmas Holiday Trains call 805-524-2546 or visit Fillmore & Western’s website at www.fwry.com All Aboard for Christmas Fun!

The Ventura County Library community libraries will be closing at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, December 24, and will be closed Thursday, December 25, for the Christmas Day holiday.
The libraries will also be closing at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31, and will be closed Thursday, January 1, for the New Years Day holiday.
In addition, the Piru Library will be closed on Wednesday, December 24 and Wednesday, December 31.
The fourteen Ventura County Library community libraries include Avenue Library, Camarillo Library, Fillmore Library, E. P. Foster Library, Meiners Oaks Library, Oak Park Library, Oak View Library, Ojai Library, Piru Library, Ray D. Prueter Library, Saticoy Library, Simi Valley Library, Albert H. Soliz Library, and H. P. Wright Library. Books may be returned to the bookdrops at any of the community libraries.
The Ventura County Library is available via the internet, 24 hours a day, at www.vencolibrary.org.

On Sunday December 7th, the California Oil Museum in conjunction with the students of Santa Paula High School’s Mexican American Studies Course will be premiering its new exhibit, Mexican American Heritage. Running through February 24th 2009, this new exhibit will be available for viewing every Wednesday through Sunday 10am-4pm. Opening reception will be December 7, from 3-5pm featuring dancers, music and crafts. Admission to the museum is $4 for adults, $3 for seniors, $1 for youth, and free for members.

Santa Paula High School’s Mexican American Studies Course is a college preparatory class taught by Karen Calhoun that emphasizes the following three components: Mexican History, Mexican American History, and culture. With students selecting topics across this spectrum -- from the Aztecs, the Spanish Conquest, and the Mexican Revolution to Diego Rivera, Zapatistas, the Zoot Suit Riots, the Chicano Movement, and recent hate crimes against Latinos -- the exhibit wonderfully captures all three of these elements.

While many students are presenting issues close to their heart, other students admit that the project has helped them learn about things they previously knew little about. And while many of the exhibit boards present topics that are sources of pride for the students such as Ballet Folklorico and Mexican art, many others, especially those dealing with poverty, pollution, corruption, and human rights express concerns of the students and are written with a tone of reflection and even criticism.

“The community will be impressed by our wonderful pictures and facts, it’s for the community” (Jesus Alvarez).

What: “Mexican American Heritage”
Where: California Oil Museum, 1001 East Main Street, Santa Paula
Exhibit Dates: December 7, 2008 – February 24th, 2009
Opening Reception: Sunday, December 7, 2008, 3-5pm
Museum Hours: Wednesday through Sunday from 10 to 4
Admission: $4 Adults, $3 Seniors and $1 Youth, Free for Members
Museum Phone: 805-933-0076 Museum Website: www.oilmuseum.net

Many Community members and local businesses have stepped up to help FOOD Share tackle hunger this holiday season. Annual sponsors PODS and VONS have been joined by Longs Drug store, Ventura Credit Union and Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in the fight against hunger.

There are many opportunities to donate food and make a difference this holiday season.

December events:
Dec. 5—Come to the 58th Annual Tree Lighting in Plaza Park, see Santa and donate canned goods or money to FOOD Share’s protein fund

Dec. 5, 6 & 7—Bring 10 cans of protein rich food to Plaza 14 Cinemas in downtown Oxnard and receive a free large popcorn

Dec. 6—Visit Oxnard’s Christmas Parade in downtown Oxnard at 10 am followed by the Tamale Festival and donate canned foods to marked barrels

Dec. 6— Come to Holiday Traditions at Pacific View Mall between 2pm-6pm, and receive a $5 Target gift card when you donate a toy and 2 cans of food

Dec. 8—Jeff Grodin of Captain Hook's Sportfishing is encouraging fishermen to grab their tackle boxes and fish for FOOD Share. For a cost of only $25.00 people can go deep sea fishing and all fish caught will go to help the hungry at FOOD Share. To reserve your spot call 805-382 6233 or book online at www.captnhooks.com.

In addition to large community events, many people are tackling hunger one neighborhood at a time. People have started organizing neighborhood food drives to collect protein-rich canned food items to donate to FOOD Share.

To register your neighborhood food drive call (805) 983-7100 X135 or email fooddrives@foodshare.com.

What to donate
FOOD Share of Ventura County is growing its Protein Fund and needs cash donations to purchase nutritious foods and is requesting donations of protein-rich non-perishable canned food items including: 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).

Questions or for more information, please call: (805) 983-7100
www.foodshare.com

The Aviation Museum of Santa Paula will welcome home Barbara McQueen with a VIP reception, dinner and booksigning on Saturday, December 6 at the Santa Paula Airport. The 5 p.m. reception will include a catered dinner, slide show and booksigning for Steve McQueen: The Last Mile.

“Santa Paula was the beginning and end of Steve McQueen's aviation roots, and realized the airport had never recognized him before. Steve used to say, 'Santa Paula Airport is my kinda country club,'” said Mike Dewey, a museum board member who has a long history with the privately owned airport. “We also felt this was a good opportunity to promote our new 3,000-square foot museum headquarters.”

This is Barbara McQueen's first trip back to Santa Paula since her late husband's 1980 death.

“Santa Paula was Steve's church and he really loved the city with all of his heart and soul. He was treated like a normal person there where he could relax and be himself, hang out with friends and fly his planes,” McQueen said. “I'm really looking forward to coming back because it was a big part of my life. It'll be good to renew some of those old ties and make new friendships.”

The tax-deductible (as allowed by law) dinner is $50 with proceeds benefiting the Aviation Museum of Santa Paula. Seating, however, is limited and attendees are asked to RSVP by December 1, 2008. Please call (805) 525-1109 or e-mail mcqueenevent@amszp.org to RSVP.

The Santa Paula Airport will salute the life of Steve McQueen on its “First Sunday Open House,” on December 7. Privately owned hangars open their doors to unveil a variety of vintage aircraft, cars, and memorabilia, which are on display for the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Several other aircraft owners will put their antique aircraft on static display and many vintage aircraft also fly in each month. Car and motorcycle clubs will also display their machines on the airport's taxiways and the Museum Tram will provide travel between hangars. The Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 723 offers free airplane rides to kids ages 7-17. Barbara McQueen will also sign, Steve McQueen: The Last Mile at the five-hour extravaganza.

Steve McQueen: The Last Mile is a photo book that captures wonderful and unique images that the very private actor allowed to no one else. Barbara soon discovered that the screen legend she had idolized since a kid was a determined individualist who loved vintage planes, motorcycles and cars and admired the men who flew and drove them above all others.

For more information on both McQueen events, visit www.amszp.org.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

A message from the Moorpark Police Crime Prevention

Those of us who work in law enforcement will tell you that if a thief really wants to get into your home, he probably will. However, there are some easy steps to make your house unattractive to the bad guy. We will call these techniques “Target Hardening”.

Lighting (The Crime Prevention Staple)

Bad Guys don't like to be seen, so install lights that will light up the outside of your home. Motion detecting fixtures work great. Remember to install them where they can't be reached or the bulb removed or broken. Placing a double light motion detector on all exterior corners of your home should sufficiently light your entire yard. Most double light motion detectors have directional light fixtures. Each light should be aimed down a side of your home allowing full-lighted coverage of your exterior walls. Remember to be courteous to your neighbors when aiming your lights.

Environmental Design

Plants and shrubs growing around your home can provide a great place for a burglar to lurk unseen. Keep your bushes trimmed so a burglar can't hide in them, out of sight. In crime prevention we call this the 2 and 6 concept. All shrubs should be trimmed at a maximum height of 2 feet and all tree skirts should be trimmed above 6 feet.

Don't advertise that there are things worth stealing in your home. If you get a new TV or computer, don't just put the box out by the curb on trash pick up day. This is like a billboard to the bad guys telling them you have a nice TV for them to steal. Break down the box or turn it inside out, so no one passing by will be able to make a shopping list of what is in your home. CONTINUED »