Cal Fire

Sacramento, CA – With gusty dry winds forecast for Southern California, CAL FIRE has increased its staffing and is urging the public to be extra cautious as fire danger heightens. The Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch for many areas in Southern California starting Tuesday for high winds with gusts of 55 mph along with low humidity lasting through Thursday.

“The drought has set the stage for a very dry and potentially dangerous fire season,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, CAL FIRE director. "Fire season never really ended last year in Southern California and these strong winds will only elevate the current fire risk."

Over the past several months, CAL FIRE has hired additional seasonal firefighters across the State and bolstered fire equipment staffing months earlier than normal. In advance of the latest wind event, CAL FIRE has increased its preparedness by staffing additional fire engines, bulldozers, fire crews, and aircraft. These state resources will be positioned strategically to allow for rapid response into communities and watershed areas that may be affected by a fast moving wildfire. Already this year, CAL FIRE has responded to over 1,100 wildfires that have charred over 2,500 acres. In an average year for the same time period, CAL FIRE would typically respond to 500 wildfires for just over 1,300 acres.

"We have extra firefighters and equipment available to respond to new wildfires during this wind event," said Chief Dale Hutchinson, CAL FIRE Southern Region chief. "While we are prepared, we are reminding residents to be extremely cautious while outdoors in order to prevent a wildfire. One less spark, means one less wildfire."

CAL FIRE asks Californians to remember 'One Less Spark, One Less Wildfire' and offers the following tips to prevent a wildfire:

• Don’t mow or weed eat dry grass on windy days
• Ensure campfires are allowed, and if so, be sure to extinguish them completely
• Target shoot only in approved areas, use lead ammunition only, and never at metal targets
• Be extra careful with all powered equipment outdoors including chainsaws, tractors and welders

For more ways to help prevent a wildfire visit PreventWildfireCA.org and to prepare for wildfires visit ReadyForWildfire.org.

Ventura, CA - Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation is launching a new event, Motion by the Ocean, a 1K/5K/10K event to benefit the new Community Memorial Hospital.

Motion by the Ocean will be held in Ventura at San Buenaventura State Beach on San Pedro Street, just off East Harbor Boulevard.

Registration begins at 6:30am, 5K at 8:00am and 10K at 9:15am. There are 1K Fun Runs for Kids and Adults. All races are timed and awards will be given based on age group.

This event is open to all abilities and all ages, with an emphasis on health and families. The event also features a dj, food trucks, Ventura area exhibitors, a kids’ fun area with a bounce house, face painting, and more.

Register at www.motionbytheocean.org or call 805-667-2881. Walk up registrants are also welcome the day of the event.

Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the support, awareness, and funding of Community Memorial Hospital. 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 eleven family-practice health centers entitled Centers for Family Health. The health system is located in Ventura, California.

Emcee Mark Ortega

Saturday, April 26th, held at the Veterans Memorial Building, 511 Second Street, Fillmore. Time: 6pm to 10pm. The Community is welcome. Congratulations to all 15 Contestants!

Livingston Hospice conducts several adult bereavement support groups to help those who have experienced a loss. Explore and express feeling, understand the grief process and receive emotional support. Open to the public, no cost, all are welcome; the groups are held at:

• The First Presbyterian Church, 850 Ivywood Drive, Oxnard; Every Wednesday, (May 7, 14, 21,28 ); from 3:00 – 4:30 pm

• Livingston Memorial VNA, 1996 Eastman Ave (#112), Ventura; Every Wednesday, (May 7, 14, 21,28); from 6:30 – 8:00

• Help of Ojai, 370 Baldwin Road, Ojai; On 2nd & 4th Tuesday, (13 & 27 ); from 10:30 am – 12 noon

• For the newly bereaved: at Livingston Memorial VNA, 1996 Eastman Ave, (#112), Ventura; second Thursday, (May 15 ); from 6:00 – 7:30 pm

Call 642-1608 for more information.

The Fillmore Bike Park is coming along, but needs additional funding to be completed. Ride Heritage Valley (RHV), the volunteer group supporting the project, is seeking donations to complete the project and for future maintenance. Tax deductible donations to the Fillmore Bike Park Trust Fund can be made at Fillmore city hall during business hours or over the phone 805-524-1500.

Ride Heritage Valley- RHV can be found on either Facebook or Twitter for updates. RHV can be contacted at: rideheritagevalley@gmail.com

Thank you!

The Friends of the Santa Paula Blanchard Community Library invite all book lovers to their First-Saturday-of–the-Month book sale on May 3, 2014 from 10AM to 2PM.

Again there will be selections in fiction, non-fiction, children’s, and collectible books. New arrivals have been coming in daily so there will be lots of new choices. Most books are priced from $.50-$2.00. Rare and collectible books start at $4.00.Everyone can join the fun searching for literary treasures.

The event will be at the library, 119 N. 8th Street, Santa Paula. Patrons should enter through the roll-up door behind the library to access the sale.

For more information email jhawkc@gmail.com

Ventura, CA - May is National Stroke Awareness Month. Community Memorial Health System encourages the community to better understand the risk factors and symptoms of stroke, a leading cause of death and serious long-term disability in the United States.

“Time is crucial in the treatment of stroke, as on average, every 40 seconds someone in the United States has a stroke and roughly every four minutes someone dies from a stroke,” said Stephanie Lara-Jenkins, RN, Stroke Coordinator at CMH. “The earlier a stroke is recognized and the patient receives medical attention, the greater chance of recovery.”

Strokes occur when a blood vessel carrying oxygen and vital nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or ruptures. When this occurs, part of the brain is deprived of blood and oxygen, destroying millions of valuable nerve cells within minutes.

“If you suspect a stroke, remember the word FAST – F-A-S-T,” said Lara-Jenkins. “F is for face – is your face drooping? A is for arms – can you lift both arms? S is for speech – are you slurring your words and T is for time, call 9-1-1 immediately because with stroke, time is brain.”

The primary stroke symptoms include:
• Sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the face or facial drooping
• Sudden numbness or weakness in an arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause

Lara-Jenkins emphasizes stroke risk factors, which include:

• Hypertension
• Atrial Fibrillation
• Diabetes Mellitus
• High Cholesterol
• Inactivity/Obesity
• Coronary Heart Disease
• Tobacco Use
• Blood Disorders

Stroke is a leading cause CONTINUED »

Oxnard, CA - Nasal congestion – which the average adult suffers from two to three times a year – will be the focus of a free seminar Community Memorial Health System is holding on Tuesday, April 29.

Dr. Elisabeth Barbosa, M.D., a Ventura ear, nose and throat specialist, will lead the seminar from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel, located at 600 E. Esplanade Drive in Oxnard.

Dr. Barbosa will cover the cause of nasal congestion and the treatment options available. She also will discuss the risks involved when treating nasal congestion.

Dr. Barbosa received her medical degree from the Drexel College of Medicine in Philadelphia and completed her internship and residency at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. She is board-certified and is a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Barbosa also is an active member of the Community Memorial Hospital medical staff.

Admission is free but space is limited, and reservations are required. Call 1-800/906-6093 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 11 family-practice health centers entitled Centers for Family Health. The health system is located in Ventura County, California.

Irma Magana

I am delighted to have the opportunity to be part of The Fillmore Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors as President and be given the opportunity to participate and share the path to improve and support our Community to make it a great place to have a business. I Thank all of our current members for all of your support and allowing us to serve you. As some of you have traveled long distances to begin your businesses here to serve our community and remind us all just how important our work and support is needed here. Your new Board of Directors and I are committed to actively raising the quality of the services we will provide for all of our current members and new members as well. We want to assure you each and everyone of us is here to serve you and better what the Chamber can offer you, regardless of any obstacles we are faced with to achieve the full potential of The Fillmore Chamber of Commerce. Our task is to make it possible. Our mission is simple to provide practical, step by step assistance to help you grow your business in our beautiful hometown of Fillmore. This year our goal is to offer you tools and new ideas from already very successful business owners to improve your businesses. I would like to thank you once again and invite you to get involved with Fillmore's Chamber of Commerce upcoming events and get to know your Board of Directors as we too live and have our businesses in our beautiful City of Fillmore.

On behalf of The Fillmore Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and myself we Thank you for your continuous support.

Thank you,
Irma Magana
2014 President

VENTURA, CA - On Friday, May 2nd, from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. and 1 – 4 p.m., Anacapa Surgical Associates will offer free oral, head and neck cancer screenings at their office located on the Ventura County Medical Center campus, 3291 Loma Vista Road, Building 340, Suite 401, Ventura.

This event, which is open to the public, is designed to provide Ventura County residents with access to free cancer screenings as well as to raise awareness of these lesser known and often misunderstood cancers. Increased understanding of the warning signs of cancers of the head and neck region combined with earlier treatment interventions will lead to higher survival rates.

Each year, over 50,000 American citizens are diagnosed with cancer of the head and neck region and less than 60 percent are still alive 5 years later. Common warning signs of oral, head and neck cancers include a mouth sore that doesn’t heal, persistent mouth pain, difficulty chewing, swallowing or moving the tongue, soreness in the throat, a lump in the neck or changes in your voice.

For more information, call Anacapa Surgical Associates: (805) 652-6201

The May 7th meeting of the Ventura County Garden Club will be a tour of the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens at 1212 Mission Canyon Rd in Santa Barbara. The cost is $8.00 admission fee with an additional $3.00-$5.00 cost for tour fee based on size of group. There will be a carpool leaving the parking lot on 10th Street near skate park at 9:30. Those attending are to bring lunch with beverage being available in the gift shop. Time at the garden will be from 11AM to about 2PM. For non members wishing to attend there are limited spaces available and reservations should be made with Lora Clarke at 218-2105 before Apr 30th.

Free health screenings, demonstrations and health information will be available at the Spring and Your Health, Health Fair from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 26 at the Ventura College Foundation’s weekend Marketplace, an outdoor shopping experience held on the Ventura College campus east parking lot at the corner of Telegraph and Day roads.

Health screenings will include blood pressure; height, weight and BMI; blood glucose levels; and anemia. Information will be available in English and in Spanish on Covered California, Cal Fresh/Food Share of Ventura County and MediCal, along with programs related to women’s health, domestic violence, senior services, mental wellness and employment. Kids Dental Kare will provide dental health information on services for children on MediCal and other programs, and the American Center Society will have information on cancer prevention, screenings and treatment.

Additional participating agencies include the Promotoras y Promotores Foundation, St. John’s Hospitals, Community Memorial Health System-Centers for Family Health, ASPIRA Counseling, Mil Mujeres, Gold Coast Health Plan, Linderes Campesinas, Inc., Every Woman Counts, HICAP and California Rural Legal Assistance.

Rancho Camulos Museum and National Historic Landmark Volunteers Needed
Volunteer Open House May 3
Become a part of where the history, myth and romance of Old California still linger. Lead tours or volunteer to assist with other museum activities depending on your interests and availability. Join us as we expand to meet the needs of our new Visitor Center. May 3 at 10:00 AM is your opportunity to learn more about our local history and how you can make a difference in bringing history alive for others. The museum is located on Highway 126, just 10 miles west of the I-5 freeway near Piru. For more information about Rancho Camulos Museum visit www.ranchocamulos.org. Email (info@ranchocamulos.org) or call the museum (805-521-1501) to sign up for the Volunteer Open House or to get more information.

Celebrate Mother’s Day at Rancho Camulos Museum May 10
On Saturday May 10th bring your Mom for a unique Rancho Camulos National Historic Landmark experience. Bring a picnic and blanket and spend some quality time enjoying the beautiful gardens. The roses are in their prime and the aroma is breathtaking. Docent-led tours will focus on the stories of mothers throughout Camulos history and each touring mother will receive a freshly cut rose from the garden. The suggested donation is $5 for adults and $3 for children. Reservations are not required but are appreciated. Email (info@ranchocamulos.org) or call the museum (805-521-1501). Rancho Camulos is on Highway 126, 2 miles East of Piru and 10 miles west of the I-5 at Santa Clarita and will be open for tours at 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00. See www.ranchocamulos.org for more information about the museum.

Rancho Camulos Museum Artist’s Day May 16
Calling all Plein air painters, photographers and others seeking visual inspiration to fuel
their creativity. Rancho Camulos' gardens are at their peak. Set up your easel, explore the grounds with your camera, or settle into a quiet spot to begin mapping out your next novel, screenplay or other creative project. Cost: $25 per person. Price includes breakfast, lunch and a museum tour. Reservations required by May 10th. Call 805-521-1501 or email us at info@ranchocamulos.org.

Ramblings at the Rancho – Western State of Mind May 17
Western State of Mind led by John Bergstrom performs music from and about the west, including tunes from the old west, the heydays of movie westerns, and original songs telling stories about the west. You sometimes catch them including a classic country tune to round out the show. May 17th, High Noon at Rancho Camulos Museum. The $5 suggested donation also includes a docent- led tour.
Reservations are not required but are appreciated. Rancho Camulos is on Highway 126, 2 miles East of Piru and 10 miles west of the I-5 at the Santa Clarita Newhall Ranch Road exit and will be open for tours at 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00. See www.ranchocamulos.org for more information about the museum.

Rancho Camulos Museum Contact Information
5164 East Telegraph Road /P.O. Box 308, Piru CA 93040 /Hwy 126, 2 miles East of Piru and 10 miles West of the I-5 at www.ranchocamulos.org /info@ranchocamulos.org

Boys & Girls Club members enjoyed making arrangements with flowers and fruit.
Enlarge Photo

In order to encourage and prepare more children to enter Vision 2020, Civic Pride’s Flower Show, members Sarah Hansen, Joanne King, Cindy Klittich, and Linda Nunes held a workshop at the Boys/Girls Club on March 25 from 2-3 PM.

Fresh flowers and various natural items such as twigs, fruit on branches, dried seed pods, and ferns, along with florist foam that had been soaked overnight and different types of trays or containers were brought to show the children how to make their own arrangement that would meet the judge’s criteria for the show.

Joanne King talked about the basic rules that are listed in the bright yellow brochures that are available around town at the city hall, library, Patterson’s Hardware and the Treasure Station. Each child filled out an entry tag that they can bring to the show on Saturday, April 12 between the hours of 7:30am to 10:00am, along with their flowers and other items to make their arrangement in the “youth room”. The entry is free for all school age children living within the Fillmore Unified School district.

The children let their creative nature take over and had great fun producing beautiful arrangements. These were lined up by the “artist” and Joanne King talked about each one’s good points.

The Fillmore Flower Show will be held April 12 and 13 at the Senior Center at 533 Santa Clara St. Entry time is Saturday, April 12 from 7:30-10:00 am only. Adults have an entry fee of $5.00 for unlimited entries. Adults may bring their bouquets and arrangements ready to show. Youth must bring all their flowers, containers or other items for their arrangement to make the arrangement, or bouquet in the youth room without parental assistance. The young people come up with fantastic creative “master pieces”. Youth can also enter a previously written poem or essay of one page on the show theme, “100 Years of Flowers”.