Find out how at our next Informational session:

Thursday, March 27
6:30-8 pm, Camarillo

CASA is the only volunteer organization that empowers everyday citizens as officers of the court. In an overburdened social welfare system, abused and neglected children often slip through the cracks among hundreds of current cases. CASA volunteers change that. Appointed by judges, CASA volunteers typically handle just one case at a time—and commit to staying on that case until the child is placed in a safe, permanent home. While others may come and go, CASA volunteers provide that one constant that children need in order to thrive.

CASA needs more volunteers! Currently there are over 40 children in Ventura County that have been assigned to the program but are on a waiting list because of the lack of volunteers. Please consider attending the next CASA Informational Session on Thursday, March 27th to prepare for the upcoming 30-hour training session that begins in April. For more information about the upcoming CASA Informational session please contact Bernadette Cardenas, at (805) 389-3120 or Bernadette@casaofventuracounty.org.

To reserve a seat call 805.389.3120

After you have registered, you will receive location information by email or phone call.

Livingston Visiting Nurse Association will hold Diabetes Classes to introduce basic information regarding diet, medication, exercise, blood sugar monitoring, new developments and common problems. Open to the public and free of charge, no registration is necessary. Call 805-642-0239 for information. The classes are held:

• In Ventura, first Tuesday of the month: April 1 @ Livingston VNA, 1996 Eastman Ave, #109, from 1:00 – 2:30 pm.

• In Camarillo, first Wednesday of the month: April 2 @ Camarillo Community Center, Room 3, 1605 Burnley Street, from 2:30 to 4:00 pm.

• In Simi Valley, first Wednesday of the month: April 2 @ Simi Valley Senior Center, 3900 Avenida Simi, from 10:30 am – 12:00 noon.

• In Thousand Oaks, fourth Wednesday of the month, April 23 @ Goebel Senior Center, 1385 E. Janss Rd, from 1:30 – 3:00 pm.

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Theresa Robledo, assisting with the presentation of Fillmore Vision 2020 Civic Pride’s Yard of the Month for March awarded to Mr. and Mrs. McClain (photo with their adorable grandchildren, Ava & Caeden) Congratulations! Their yard is located at 201 Third Street, you will find a lovely outlined garden featuring Gerber Daisies; Freesias; Alstroemeria; Day Lillies; Melaleuca Trees; Plumera Trees; Roses; Gazanias; Carnations; and Silk Trees. There gardener is Joe Acosta of Fillmore, however, Mr. McClain manages their Roses. A Big Thank you to Otto & Sons Nursery for providing a gift certificate to the winners, where they will find more of their gardening and plant needs!

SANTA PAULA, CA. March 7, 2014 – Santa Clara Valley Bank (SCVBank;OTC BB: SCVE) Chairman of the Board, Scott K. Rushing, today announced the Bank's 2013 fourth quarter results.

Board Chairman Scott Rushing reported that portfolio quality continues to demonstrate solid performance with increasing loan production.

SCVBank recorded a $190,000 income before taxes for the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to an income before taxes of $157,000 for the fourth quarter of 2012. Income before taxes for 2013 was $77,000.

Due to a $227,000 writedown of deferred tax assets during the fourth quarter of 2013, the Bank's net loss, after taxes, was $37,000. The net loss for 2013 was $153,000.

SCVBank continues to maintain a strong capital position with a Tier 1 Leverage Capital Ratio of 10.84%, up from 10.68% at December 31, 2012. Liquidity continues to be very strong as cash, interest bearing deposits at financial institutions, and investments total 45% of total assets at year end.

President Cheryl Knight commented that, "challenges remain due to weak loan demand and very low interest rates, leading to margin compression and lower income; however, returns on our high quality investment portfolio have increased recently. Core deposits compare favorably with other similar banks.” Chairman Rushing added that, “the bank continues to seek good quality business and commercial real estate loans in Ventura County and North Los Angeles County. As good quality loans are funded, the financial performance of SCVBank will continue to strengthen.”

Founded in 1998, SCVBank currently operates three branches in Santa Paula, Fillmore, and Valencia. Executive and Loan Offices are located at 866 East Main Street, Santa Paula, Ca. Under its stock symbol of SCVE, SCVBank’s stock is traded through McAdams Wright Ragen, Raymond James & Associates Inc., and Monroe Securities. The Bank’s web site is www.SCVBank.com.

Santa Clara Valley Bank Corporation Headquarters
901 East Main Street
Santa Paula, California 93060
(805) 525-1999

Statements concerning future performance, developments or events concerning expectations for growth and market forecasts, and any other guidance on future periods, constitute forward looking statements that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from stated expectations. Specific factors include, but are not limited to, the effect of interest rate changes, and the ability to control costs and expenses, the impact of consolidation in the banking industry, financial policies of the United States government, and general economic conditions.

The Ventura County Fair youth poster contest is accepting entries until April 1. Ventura county children in grades 5 – 12 are invited to let their imaginations soar and come up with the wining design for the 2014fair poster.

Prizes will be awarded to the top three entries, First prize: $500, Second Prize: $250, Third Prize: $100. All entries will be displayed in the Youth Expo at the 2014 fair and all contestants will be invited to ride on the Junior Fair Board float in the 2014 Fair Parade.

The theme of the 2014 fair is “A Country Fair with Ocean Air” and will serve as the guideline to the imagery. Artwork may be created in any medium but may not include the use of glitter, metallic paint, or 3 dimensional objects attached to the artwork.

Poster designs will be judged on Theme, Originality, Composition and Skill. Entries will be accepted until the entry deadline, Tuesday, April 1. Entries can be brought to the Fairgrounds administration office at 10 W. Harbor Blvd. in Ventura. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8AM until 5PM.

Rules, deadlines and other information can be found on the Fair website, www.venturacountyfair.org. For more information about the contest call 648-3376 or send an email to info@venturacountyfair.org. (Please put “Poster Contest” in the subject line)

The winning design will be used to advertise the fair on posters, souvenirs, advertisements and other applications. Second and third place winners will also be used in various applications.

The Ventura County Fair will begin its annual 12-day run Wednesday, July 30 andcontinue until Sunday, August 10.

For more information about the fair, or the poster contest, please call the Ventura County Fairgrounds at 648-3376 or visit www.venturacountyfair.org. Keep up to date when you follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

The Ventura County Rose Society will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday, March 27, 2014, at the Ventura County Office of Education Conference Center at 5100 Adolfo Rd., Camarillo.

The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. for advice from Consulting Rosarians and refreshments. A little rose celebration will be held at 7:00 pm, and our speaker presentation will begin at 7:30 pm.

The VCRS meeting will feature Scott Klittich, Manager of Otto & Sons Nursery in Fillmore, CA, who will be speaking about "Growing Great Roses". Otto & Sons Nursery has over 800 varieties of roses for sale and over 120,000 plants. The nursery supplies independent nurseries, garden centers, and landscapers as well as offering educational classes. Scott will present ways to grow roses with Integrated Pest Management methods and show some of the beautiful new roses available. Scott is a very knowledgeable speaker and we will gain excellent information.

Visitors are always welcome to our VCRS meetings. For more information contact: Janet Sklar at 818-337-9970 or Dawn-Marie Johnson at 805-523-9003. Our website is http://www.venturarose.org/

Video was taken at the end of the levee at 1409 Goodenough Road, Fillmore, CA. 93015. Map: 34.418021, -118.924885

Vision 2020, Civic Pride Committee, will host the sixth annual Fillmore Flower Show since it was revived in 2009. The show will be held on April 12-13, 2014, at the Fillmore Senior Center, at 533 Santa Clara Street, Fillmore, California. In commemoration of Fillmore’s centennial celebration, the theme is “100 Years of Flowers”.
The event is open to the public both days from 1:00pm-4:00pm and it is FREE.

The Civic Pride Committee will be cooperating with the Soroptimists to hold a book reading and seed planting event at the Fillmore Library on March 12 from 4-4:30pm. The Boys/Girls Club will be bringing a group of young children and this opportunity will be also open to any other interested children in the community.

Another opportunity for learning, that is more focused, on Flower Show entries, will be held at the Boys/Girl’s Club on First St., Tuesday, March 25th from 2-3pm.
This time will be a practical, “hands- on” workshop about making an arrangement or “team effort” arrangement that could be entered in the Flower Show. Supplies for practice will be provided and brochures with entry rules available.

All youth entries are free for the show and either a team of two or more or an individual, living within the Fillmore Unified School District( includes Piru, Bardsdale and some areas west of Fillmore) may enter for competition. The team or individual must bring all their supplies (flowers, dried material, picture, etc.) to the show on Saturday, April 12 between 7:30am and 10:00am. Young people will make their arrangement during that time, showing their own creativity.

Questions? Please contact, Linda Nunes at 805-524-3021.

You’ve probably seen a little purple electric car running around town. It is the brainchild of Milan Boyanich, who is the inventor and engineer of the Auburn Speedster, Jr., electric car. Mr. Boyanich is also the owner of A Street Self Storage, which also houses Body Image Gym, and Hair Gallery salon. Mr. Boyanich will go into production manufacturing the Auburn Speedster, Jr., this year. He attracts a lot of attention when driving his little Auburn Speedster, Jr. Students from Mrs. Becky Goldner’s Fillmore Middle School class were outside for recreation and noticed the little purple car and immediately ran over to the fence inquiring about it. Mrs. Goldner, a sixth grade teacher, stopped Mr. Boyanich to ask him about the electric car. She said they are studying renewable and nonrenewable resources in her Earth science class. The students are learning about how we will run out of fossil fuels and we need to turn to clean energy like: wind, solar, and water power.

FREE Event: Open to children K-6th
Date: Wed. March 12, 2014 Time: 4pm-4:30pm
Location: Fillmore Library 502 Second St. Fillmore
Book: The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle

From Seeds to Flowers! We have the Power!
Find out how you have the power to keep our city beautiful! We will be reading the book The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle, which follows the journey of a group of seeds through various scenarios. We will be making a seed ball to plant at home and reading and signing a pledge to remind us of our promise to help keep Fillmore clean! After this event you might be inspired to submit an entry to the Fillmore Flower Show on April 12 & 13th! Presented by: The Fillmore Civic Pride/Fillmore Flower Show in conjunction with Soroptimist International of Fillmore and the Fillmore Friends of the Library. For information contact: Ari Larson 805.794.7590/petenari55@hotmail.com

A new Leo club came to Fillmore on February 22 when charter members celebrated the organization of their new Walt Taylor Leo Club at the Lions District 4A3 Cabinet meeting held at the Fillmore Memorial Building. The Fillmore Lions Club sponsored the new club for young people.

Raquel Aguilar of Fillmore has been elected to serve as the first president of the new club, and Jessica Mayhew also of Fillmore will serve as the first club secretary. The Walt Taylor Leo Club plans to become involved with existing Lion’s Club projects. Members will also this year undertake Fillmore High School (FHS) beautification, raised bed gardening, disabled student and younger/elder co-mentoring initiatives as well as a Fillmore oral history project.

According to Erick Cadena, club membership VP, “We are excited to give back to our community. Through our important L-eadership E-xperiencing O-pportunity (LEO) work, MUCH will be accomplished in our schools and neighborhoods.” Club Treasurer Jaime Valdovinos is keen to see what remains of his budget well spent before the end of the academic year.

The Walt Taylor Leo Club meets every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at 12:20 pm at FHS in room 62. Norm Anderson and Gerald Fitzgerald are the current Leo club advisors. Young people, grades 9-12 who would like more information about the Walt Taylor Leo Club can contact LEO Membership VP Erick Cadena at (805)421-7527 or Lion Gerald at (805)625-4365 or at geraldmf09@gamil.com

Lions clubs sponsor approximately 5,800 Leo clubs in 140 countries. While helping others in their community, Leos develop leadership skills and experience teamwork in action. For more information about the Leo Club Program, visit the Youth Programs section of the Lions Web site at www.lionsclubs.org.

Fillmore Athletic Boosters will be holding their 4th annual casino night on Saturday, March 15th at Britt Park from 6PM until midnight. All proceeds benefit student athletes and the athletic programs at Fillmore High School. Tickets are $30 and include funny money, beer, appetizers, raffle, DJ, and a no host bar. For more information please contact Jennie Andrade at 340-3601. We appreciate our community's support towards a great cause!

Applications are now available for the Fillmore Women's Service Club Educational Scholarships. Any graduating High School Senior going to a Public or Private School, who RESIDES within the Fillmore Unified School District and is continuing on to a College, University or Trade School can apply. Applications are available at Fillmore High School or by telephoning Susan Banks at 524-2020. Deadline is Friday April 4th, 2014

Applications are now available for the Fillmore Women's Service Club Educational Scholarship for Adult Women returning to College or Trade School. Applicants must reside within the Fillmore School District and be 25 years of age or older. For information and an application form please telephone Susan Banks at 524-2020. Deadline is Friday April 4th, 2014.

A message from Detective Ray Dominguez:
Farm Watch readers, things have slowed down considerably since I last wrote about the agricultural burglary/theft series we had been experiencing over the past several months. I believe this is due in part to search warrants served in connection with the cases being investigated, and the incarceration of suspect(s) associated with this crime series on other unrelated cases.

As a reminder, these suspect(s) had been targeting storage facilities; particularly conex storage containers. They were stealing irrigation equipment, including brass sprinkler heads, valves, and aluminum irrigation pipe and taking it to recycling centers. I later discovered that these same suspects began targeting farm buildings and workshops where they stole various hand tools, power tools, and welding equipment.

While conducting follow-up investigation related to these cases, I successfully identified several victims and recovered some of their property. However, I still have property seized by way of a search warrant that has not been identified. Among the items seized are miscellaneous hand tools, power tools, and welding machines. Again, the problem is the items seized are not uniquely marked for identification and some victims had no record of the serial number information for their property.

If you have property that was stolen, but have not been contacted by the Sheriff's Office, please contact me directly at (805) 384-4726 to discuss this matter. These cases are still being investigated and evidence collected at the various crime scenes is being processed. I'm seeking arrest warrants for suspects linked to these cases and arrests are pending.

On another note, I'm pleased to announce that several arrests have been made by deputies working in the unincorporated areas surrounding Fillmore and Santa Paula. Deputies have been diligent in their efforts to stop avocado thefts and will continue to patrol these areas looking for suspicious subjects. Kudos to the deputies working at Fillmore PD!

The following advice is always wise if you suspect illegal activity on your property:
・ Call the Sheriff's Office immediately at 911.
・ Be a good witness
・ Note suspect descriptions such as age, height, weight, facial hair, clothing, and shoe type.
・ If a vehicle is involved, obtain a license plate number and note vehicle color, body damage, bumper stickers, camper shell, after market tires and wheels, etc.
・ Provide the dispatcher with information about the time and last known direction of travel.

If you are not sure of how to address the problem or would like additional crime prevention tips please contact your local Sheriff's Office substation or me directly at (805) 384-4726 or by email at ray.dominguez@ventura.org.

Contacts:
Camarillo Detective Gene Martinez gene.martinez@ventura.org
Fillmore Detective John Fox john.fox@ventura.org
Ventura Detective Dennis Smith dennis.smith@ventura.org
Agricultural Crimes Detective Ray Dominguez ray.dominguez@ventura.org
Be alert and stay safe! Ray
Geoff Dean - Sheriff
John Crombach and Gary Pentis - Assistant She