Seventy years after it was scuttled off Los Angeles, government archaeologists have found the wrecked remains of the George E. Billings, a rare Pacific Coast schooner that was employed in the lumber trade during the early 1900s.

Today at the California Islands Symposium in Ventura, Calif., Robert Schwemmer, maritime archaeologist for NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, confirmed the ship’s identity and presented a scientific paper on its history and discovery.

The Billings, a CONTINUED »

From Oak Park to Oak View, the Ventura County Grand Jury will monitor polling places as they did during the last election in June. On election day, Tuesday, November 6, the Grand Jury will be visiting the polls as well as the Board of Elections to check for obvious and subtle violations that may occur at voting locations throughout the County. The Grand Jury observes the setting up of the polling places, voting throughout the day, closing of the polling places, and the return of ballots to receiving stations or Election Headquarters.

If you have not already done so, you may wish to consult your precinct and voting location. Now is the time to become as fully informed as possible for voting in this important election.

To find out more about the mission of the Grand Jury, to download complaint forms, and to view previous years’ reports, please visit our Internet site: http://grandjury.countyofventura.org

The Grand Jury is available for speaking engagements throughout the County. If you would like to request a speaker for your organization, please contact: Judith Cohen at 805-477-1600.

Sunday October 14th in the vicinity of Howard and King Street.
Family misses her dearly.
If you have seen her, please call 805-588-6588
Thank you!

Program Title: “A Special Brew of Magic!” Type of Program: Family, Date: Wednesday, October 24th, Time: 3:30 p.m. Place: Fillmore Library: 502 Second Street Fillmore, Ca. Master Magician, Shawn McMaster returns to the Fillmore Library with his special brew of magic! Come one; come all to a spectacular afternoon of family entertainment!. Program sponsored by the Fillmore Friends of the Library.

Light Up the Season Luncheon
A fun beginning to the holiday season
Saturday November 3, 2012
814 Main St., Santa Paula
11:00 AM
$20 per person includes: Lunch, entertainment and door prizes.
$1 raffle tickets will be sold for a chance to win a fully decorated
Christmas tree. 21 fully decorated trees will be displayed
Catering provided by Glen Tavern. For registration or questions regarding event please contact (805) 525-7910.

Ventura, CA - The Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) has made slight adjustments to VISTA service’s schedule, effective Monday, October 1. These adjustments include minor time modifications to the Highway 101 and Conejo Connection routes, the East County route, and the CSUCI routes, as well as additional service along Highway 126.

“With the recent transition to Roadrunner Shuttle, the ability to maintain service without interruption and with only these minor changes is a definite home run,” said VCTC Executive Director Darren Kettle. “Our effort remains focused on providing efficient and effective service to the people of Ventura County.”

Additional changes are expected for the Coastal Express later this month. Service changes traditionally go into effect during the summer, but the adjustments were pushed back due to the recent transition to Camarillo-based Roadrunner.

“The majority of the schedules will only be adjusted by a few minutes, so people needn’t worry about restructuring their entire commute,” noted VCTC Transit Director Vic Kamhi.

Updated schedules can be found at goventura.org.

Craig Newton who entertained the ladies last year is back for another performance. Craig plays over 24 different instruments and this year will be bringing some different ones than last year. He is always very entertaining and the ladies enjoy his music and his educational discussion of the instruments. Fillmore Ebell Club meets the 4th Tuesday of each month.

Craig will be entertaining on October 23 at the Fillmore Memorial Building. Lunch starts at 12:30pm and the Craigs program will start about 1:30. For more information and/to make a reservation please call LaVonne Deeter, 524-2090. Memberships are now open and welcomed Please call Beverly Brisby 524-4799.

Ventura, CA - Learn more about surviving cancer and thriving at free symposium Community Memorial Health System is holding on Saturday, Oct. 27, at the Ventura Beach Marriott. Physician and local leading experts will be presenting a range of topics.

Patients, their families, the public, caregivers and medical professionals are encouraged to attend. The symposium begins with registration and light continental breakfast at 7:30 a.m. with the program beginning at 8:00 a.m. through to 1 p.m. Featured topics presented by local experts include:

 David Letterman-like Top Ten Rules for Cancer Survivorship
Rosemary McIntyre, M.D., Hematology/Oncologist, Ventura County Hematology Oncology Specialists
 Developing Your Own CONTINUED »

Ventura, CA - Free to the public, Community Memorial Health System holds regularly scheduled “Stop Smoking” Tobacco Cessation classes.

Each 8-session class includes sessions on lifestyle balance, weight and exercise, life without cigarettes, including handling urges, stress, moods and slips. Registered participants receive FREE nicotine replacement therapy products.

Three convenient locations are available to begin your 8 week session:
• Wednesdays 3:30-4:30 p.m. in Ojai: Ojai Valley Community Hospital (conference room), 1306 Maricopa Hwy.
• Wednesdays 5:30-6:30 p.m. in Ventura: Ventura County Public Health, 3147 Loma Vista Rd., Room 5F.
• Thursdays 5:15-6 p.m. in Oxnard: Center for Family Health (reception area), 2361 E. Vineyard Ave.

The sessions are co-sponsored by Ventura County Public Health and funded by the Ventura County Tobacco Settlement Program.

Class dates and times are subject to change and registration is required by calling CMHS’s HealthAware office at 805/667-2818 or email healthaware@cmhshealth.org.

Community Memorial Health System is 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 County, California.

Our first fundraiser is Marie Callender's Thanksgiving Pies for the Class of 2013. The Seniors have been given their Pie Order forms and are out working right now. This year will be the same as last year, either work fundraisers to make at least $200 for Grad Nite Live or pay $100 for your ticket to Grad Nite Lives Graduation Harbor Cruise...
The distribution of pies will again be at the Memorial Bldg. The students will deliver your pies Tuesday Nov 20th. If you ordered your pies from Mrs. Chaney YOU will pick up your pies at the Memorial Bldg Tuesday Nov 20th between 12 noon and 4pm.
This year we are offering the same kind of pies: APPLE, PUMPKIN, PECAN, (sugar free) LITE APPLE & RAZELBERRY. This year we are selling them at $13.00 including the tin. I understand that Marie Callender’s is going to charge $17.00 plus the tin.
Need help? Any Questions? call Mrs. Chaney, 524-4909 or 407-5759

Ventura County, CA - With the flu season fast approaching, Dr. Robert Levin, Health Officer for Ventura County Public Health (VCPH), is urging all Ventura County residents to get vaccinated against the flu.

“The flu has the potential to cause serious illness and even death,” said Levin. “Becoming vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu and its complications.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), influenza and related complications are the eighth leading cause of death in the United States. Influenza is associated with up to 49,000 deaths and over 200,000 hospitalizations in the U.S. each year.

CDC recommends an annual flu vaccine for everyone six months of age and older, including pregnant women. Healthy people between two and 49 years of age, who are not pregnant, may opt for the nasal spray flu vaccine instead of the shot.

In October and November, VCPH Immunization Program will co-sponsor over 90 low cost/no cost influenza vaccine clinics at various locations throughout Ventura County. No appointment is necessary and the flu shots will be given on a first come, first serve basis. For a list of seasonal flu clinics, go to www.vchca.org/flu.

The 2012 – 2013 flu vaccine protects against influenza A (H1N1) virus, influenza A (H3N2) virus and influenza B virus. This year’s flu vaccine contains two different strains that were not part of the 2011–12 flu vaccine.

To stop the spread of flu and other respiratory illnesses, everyone should:

· Stay home when sick

· Cover a cough or sneeze by using their elbow or a tissue and then properly dispose of the used tissue.

· Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, avoiding contact with eyes, nose and mouth.

About the Ventura County Public Health Department

The Ventura County Public Health Department’s (VCPH) mission is to empower the community to improve health; promote health and emergency preparedness; and prevent disease, injury, and disability.

VCPH is committed to protecting and promoting the health of all Ventura County residents, especially in those communities that have greater health disparities and reduced access to care.

Under the direction of Ventura County Public Health Director, Barry Fisher, VCPH employs more than 300 nurses, doctors, health educators, lab technicians, medical therapists, and epidemiologists and administers a wide array of programs and services including preventative health, community nursing, emergency medical services, health education, infectious disease, epidemiology/surveillance and animal control.

For more information, call: (800) 781-4449 or go to: www.vchca.org/ph

Ventura, CA - Community Memorial Health System offers a free Walking Fitness Program every Tuesday and Thursday 8 to 9:30 a.m. at Community Park in Ventura providing participants with blood pressure screenings before and after each walk to help monitor heart health. As an added feature, Ventura Orthopedic Medical Group is now offering participants free orthopedic screenings.

The Ortho screenings take place at the walk the first Tuesday of each month, from 9 to 10 a.m. when Steve Edwards, Director of Therapy Services for Ventura Orthopedic will be on hand to assess and provide treatment advice about beginning and succeeding in the Walking Fitness Program.

Exercise increases one’s lungs’ ability to take in oxygen, lowers blood pressure and helps reduce body fat and improves blood sugar and cholesterol levels. CMHS, urges participants to consult their primary care physician before starting any exercise program or activity.

Community Park is at the corner of Kimball and Telegraph Roads in Ventura. The HealthAware station is located in the far left parking lot closest to Telephone Road.

To register or for more information call 805/667-2818 or go to www.cmhshealth.org.

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.

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, the classes are held the first Tuesday of the month, 1:00 – 2:30 pm @Livingston VNA, 1996 Eastman Ave, #101, Ventura. No registration is necessary; for information call Linda Hampson, RN, MSN @ 805-642-0239, ext 723. Spanish Speaking Diabetes Classes are also being offered the second Monday of the month, 3 – 4:30 pm @ Livingston Memorial; and the fourth Monday of the month, 3 – 4:30 pm @ Santa Paula Hospital, 825 N. 10th St. Call 642-0239 for information.

Leslie McAdam

VENTURA, CA - Ferguson Case Orr Paterson LLP attorney Leslie McAdam has been honored with a prestigious California State Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award for her work with Santa Clara Valley Legal Aid, which provides free legal assistance to rural Ventura County’s underserved population. The Honorable Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of California, will present the award to McAdam on Oct. 12 at the State Bar Convention in Monterey, Calif.

McAdam has been involved with Santa Clara Valley Legal Aid since 2009. She has provided pro bono services to help more than 100 rural and non-English speaking residents in the Santa Clara River Valley, and contributed more than 200 hours helping individuals with tenant issues, employee rights, small claims, consumer issues and farmworker issues. She has devoted nearly every Thursday evening to the organization over the past few years, advising women, agricultural workers, elderly, disabled, and the working poor at weekly clinics.

“We are proud of Leslie CONTINUED »

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FARM WATCH: August - September 2012 Edition

WELCOME FARM WATCH READERS!

I can't believe it is the Fall season already and we are still experiencing "summer " heat for our county. We have very dry conditions, so needless to say we all need to be diligent in reporting suspicious activity on and around our agricultural properties to safe guard against arsonists. Please DO NOT hesitate to call 911 when you suspect person(s) that do not have the legal authority to be on your property . This is the case for those that might be casing the ranches for potential metal thefts or they could be possible arsonists.

On the crime front, Det. Ray Dominguez has been quite busy all around the county, but is pleased with the readers of Farm Watch reporting crimes in an expedient manner. I continue to receive calls from folks that want to be added to this report. SO the bottom line: we depend on all of you to report suspicious activity immediately so we can deliver more effective policing to solve crimes, or at least deter crime in the future !

Agricultural Crimes Detective CONTINUED »