On October 17, 2011 Fillmore resident Gretchen Anderson will celebrate her 100th birthday. Born in 1911 in Bolivar, Missouri, Gretchen moved with her family to Fillmore when she was 10-years old. She graduated from Fillmore High School in 1930, and was one of 80 graduates. According to Gretchen, that was the largest class to graduate up until that time. She worked for AT&T telephone for 43 years. Gretchen was married twice, to Ralph Stanley and Ray Anderson. She was one of eight children: Kenny Stewart, Sid Stewart, Walt Stewart, Guy Stewart, Ruth Howard, Effie Hancock, and Mame Hurt. Gretchen said she loves living in the small town of Fillmore.

Children are invited to visit the Fillmore Library to learn all about the exciting opportunities scouting offers. The program is sponsored by the Soroptimist International of Fillmore and the Fillmore Friends of the Library. This is part of an on-going series called: “Success Through Reading”.

There will be both a Girl Scout and a Cub Scout representative present. A book will be read, followed by some fun crafts.

For more information about scouting you may contact Ari Larson at (805) 794-7590, or at her email: petenari55hotmail.com

The Fillmore Library is located at 502 Second Street in Fillmore. Hours of service are Monday and Tuesday 2-7pm, Wednesday 10-5pm, Thursday through Saturday from 12-5pm. The Ventura County Library is available 24/7 at www.vencolibrary.org

Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat” is celebrating our 15th year in Ventura County. As one of the largest 4-H countywide events of the year, this community service project donates food to the many needy and hungry Ventura County residents through our beneficiary, FOOD Share.

FOOD Share is the only regional food bank that distributes collected food through a network of 240 certified charitable agencies. These agencies serve children, families in crisis, low-income seniors, the homeless, disabled and many others living within all the cities and communities of Ventura County.

4-H clubs in the City of Fillmore will be going door to door collecting canned goods and unopened packaged foods between the dates of October 15th to November 7th. We are unable to take any glass containers but do welcome fresh fruit such as oranges and lemons.

If everyone is able to give a little, it will add up to a lot!! Thank you for supporting Fillmore's 4-H clubs with your giving to this important community service.

The annual Fall Harvest Festival/Carnival will be at San Cayetano on Thursday October 27, 2011. The time of this event will be from 5-8PM. We are fortunate to have the Wells Fargo Foundation once again sponsor this community event. The proceeds from the event will support all for elementary schools in Fillmore and Piru. The funds generated from the cinnamon rolls will be split between the local fire and police departments for their annual holiday toy drive! High school students will be donating time for community service hours. This fun event will feature games , lots of prizes and food booths. Come join the fun!!!

Beginning on January 1, children under 8 years old will be required to ride in booster seats. This is a change from current law which requires children 6 years old or who weigh less than 60 pounds to be in booster chairs.

Signed into law by Governor Brown, the new law allows for an exception: children who are at least 4 feet 9 inches tall.

VENTURA COUNTY, CA - An active group of young agriculturalists, better known as the Ventura County Young Farmers and Ranchers, rallied together on Saturday, Sept. 17, to scour Ventura County agricultural fields and harvest excess produce for FOOD Share, Ventura County’s regional food bank.

These budding farmers and ranchers, ages 18 - 35, fanned out across the county gleaning harvests from 20 participating growers, packers, shippers and individuals. At the end of the day, they collected over 33,000 lbs. of fresh produce that FOOD Share will use to feed over 74,500 hungry people each month.

“Our members collected fruits and vegetables from farms in every corner of Ventura County,” said Chris Garmon, State Representative for the Young Farmer and Ranchers of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. “We are proud to partner with FOOD Share and find it gratifying to know that our work helps feed the county’s growing population of hungry people.”

The support of the local agricultural community is nothing new to FOOD Share. The nonprofit agency has come to rely on the generosity of local growers who in 2010, donated close to 3.6 million pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to the Oxnard based non-profit.

“FOOD Share is very grateful to all members of the local agricultural community, both young and old, for their generous spirit and collective support,” said Bonnie Weigel, FOOD Share CEO. “They are valued partners in the fight against hunger and, by sharing their bountiful harvests, help us feed our hungry friends a greater array of nutritious farm fresh produce.”

Members of the Ventura County Young Farmers and Ranchers are involved in production, banking, business, and many other areas of the agriculture and ranching industries. Through leadership development, networking and volunteer activities, members develop a greater understanding and appreciation the critical role agriculture plays in Ventura County’s history, economy and culture.

About FOOD Share
The food bank distributing millions of pounds of food each year to those in need throughout Ventura County, FOOD Share collects and receives food year-round, distributing through more than 150 pantry partner agencies throughout Ventura County, including Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Oak View, Ojai, Oxnard, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Somis, Thousand Oaks, and Ventura.

FOOD Share provides food to more than 74,500 people each month countywide through its partner agencies and multiple programs. Programs include the Senior Brown Bag that provides supplemental nutrition to nearly 2,000 low income seniors, home delivered meals and supplemental groceries through the Oxnard and Ventura Senior Nutrition Programs and, the Kids’ Farmers’ Markets, offering nutrition education, healthy recipe preparation and taste testing and a farmers’ market free fresh produce “shopping experience.”

For more information: call (805) 983-7100 or go to http://www.foodshare.com.

Ventura Center for Spiritual Living is presenting the workshop: “Let’s Talk”, on October 26, from 7 – 9 pm. Facilitated by Debbie Ringen, RN, MSN, FCN, topics will include: How to have an honest conversation with you family, options if faced with a serious illness, how to prepare an Advance Directive, and how spiritual, cultural, religious and ethnic experiences influence our decisions. The workshop is help at the Ventura Center for Spiritual Living, 101 S Laurel Street, Ventura. For further information call Karen @231-5791 or Judy @ 647-4511.

In its commitment to keeping the county healthy, the Ventura County Public Health Department, a division of the Ventura County Health Care Agency, will be holding two flu clinics; the first on October 14th and the second on October 21st, to immunize the public for the seasonal influenza. These two flu clinics will take place in the following locations: The first will be at the Simi Valley Town Center, 1555 Simi Town Center Drive, Simi Valley. This flu clinic will take place inside the mall, near the center courtyard, and will run from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. The second flu clinic will be in Oxnard at the Center Point Mall, 2655 Saviers Rd, Oxnard, CA. This clinic will run from 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm.

The seasonal influenza affects roughly 20% of all Ventura County residents each year. This seasonal flu vaccine is not intended to prevent the much-talked about H1N1 (swine) flu, but is thought to offer some minimal protection. People with compromised health or chronic health conditions, as well as people over the age of 50, are encouraged to get a seasonal influenza vaccine.

For more information about either of these flu clinics, please call Sheila Murphy at 677-5274.

Ventura, CA - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that on October 5, 2011, Ventura County Superior Court Judge Colleen Toy White found Russell Takasugi (DOB 10/26/1954) of Moorpark guilty following his pleas of no contest to 34 felony counts, including one count each of elder fraud and grand theft, 28 counts of money laundering, 2 counts of perjury, 2 counts of offering false instruments, and the aggravated white-collar crime enhancement. The Simi Valley Police Department conducted the investigation that resulted in Takasugi’s convictions.

Takasugi was a licensed California attorney from 1985 until he stipulated to his disbarment earlier this year. In 2007, Takasugi drafted a will for a terminally ill client. The client bequeathed his property to a friend and named Takasugi executor of his estate. After the client died, Takasugi failed to initiate probate for one year and systematically embezzled $537,205 from investment accounts the client owned while concealing those assets from the probate court. He subsequently filed false statements and instruments with the probate court.

Takasugi will be sentenced on December 9, 2011, in Division 37 at 1:30 p.m. He remains free on a $100,000 bond. Takasugi has repaid the $537,205 he stole, although at sentencing the victim is expected to claim additional losses resulting from his actions. In recognition of his early pleas and his repayment of the stolen funds, the court has committed to sentence Takasugi to a maximum of five years in state prison.

Glitter Montana graciously hosted a fundraiser for the Fillmore Women's Service Club and Equestrian Trails Inc. 126 on October 1st. A great time was had by all and everyone arrived back with their heads.

The Fillmore and Western Railroad provided a scrumptious Tri-Tip and Chicken dinner, with entertainment provided by Glitter Montana and friends, as well as the Mayor of Ichabod and Marshals hired to protect the train from the Headless Horseman.

On the wagon ride through Sleepy Hollow the Headless Horseman and the Boo Gang harassed the wagons, however, we are glad to report that the mounted Marshals did a great job in driving them off and protecting the party goers.

On the return trip pumpkin pie was served and the raffle winners drawn. Our thanks to Elkins Golf Course, AM Pet, Ventura County Certified Farmers Market, Up in Arms, Mimstar, Giessenger Winery, Chivas Skin Care, The Scented Path. Bennetts Honey Farm, Fillmore Rentals, Jewelry by D, and Kings Corner Training Stables.

A special thanks to the members of ETI 126, friends, and their horses, for putting on a wonderful and exciting adventure show.

Enlarge Photo

Enlarge Photo

Enlarge Photo

Welcome to Farm Watch
August – September 2011 Edition
Berry Farm Theft
• In late-August, a berry farm located on Gonzales Rd. in the unincorporated area of Oxnard was the victim of a grand theft. The farm had an expensive Pure Sense “Real-Time Irrigation Management” system stolen. Please refer to the attached flyer for details.
Farm House Burglary
• In late-August, a farm house on Heatherton Drive in Somis was burglarized. The suspect(s) broke windows to the victims’ work shed, garage, and storage shed and stole various tools including a “Craftsman” chainsaw, a weed whacker, and gardening tools. They also stole two saddles.
Fertilizer Theft
• In late-August, a berry farm located on Hueneme Rd. in the unincorporated area of Oxnard was the victim of a grand theft. The farm had eight (8) pallets of fertilizer stolen from an open storage yard. The loss was estimated at $15,000.
Fuel Theft
• In early-September, an avocado grower located on Berylwood Rd. in Somis was the victim of a petty theft. The suspect(s) cut a lock securing a perimeter fence and stole gasoline from the ranch fuel supply tank.
Fumigant Theft
• In early-September, a local agricultural product supply house, Crop Production Services, were the victim of a grand theft. The suspect(s) cut openings in the perimeter chain link fence and gained access to an open storage area. The suspect(s) used an unknown type of cart to haul away numerous metal fumigant canisters. The loss is estimated at $12,000. See attached flyer for details.
Generator Theft
• In early-September, a farm located on South Largo Lane in Fillmore was the victim of a petty theft. The farmer had a portable Honda generator stolen.
Fertilizer Theft
• In late-September, a berry farm located on Wood Rd. in the unincorporated area of Oxnard was the victim of a grand theft. Suspect(s) used a heavy duty truck and gained access to the victims’ ranch via the neighbors’ property. The suspect(s) cut openings into a chain link enclosed storage area and stole a large amount of bagged fertilizer. Refer to the attached flyer for details.
As always, the Sheriff’s Office encourages you to take preventive measures to secure and protect your property including the use of high quality locks, security lighting, surveillance cameras, and marking your property with identifiable numbers.
In addition, please order only what you need and avoid stockpiling supplies because doing so will only make your operation more attractive to thieves. If you must keep large supplies on hand, please ensure that they are kept out of sight and in a secure facility.
Contacts:
Fillmore Detective Darin Hendren darin.hendrin@ventura.org or 524-2235
Ventura Detective Christine Rettura Christine.rettura@ventura.org 662-6770
Agricultural Crimes Detective, Ray Dominguez at Ray.Dominguez@ventura.org
Camarillo Detective Nora Soler, at Nora.soler@ventura.org
I would like to thank Sheriff’s Crime Analyst Karen Brown who puts together your maps and digests all the crime data along with Det. Ray Dominguez who assists tremendously with the crime summaries.
Be alert and always safe!

With technology so prevalent in today’s world, our eyes take a beating looking at monitor screens, squinting to see the Internet on our phone, paying bills on line and shopping. Do our eyes suffer after long periods of time staring at computer screens? Is there long-term damage? What preventative maintenance can be done to keep our eyes focused and healthy?

Soroptimist International of Fillmore invites you to hear Dr. Aaron Luekenga of Heritage Valley Eye Care. Dr. Luekenga has been with Heritage Valley Eye Care for 6 years. Prior to joining Dr. Bartelson and Dr. Ikeda, he was an eye doctor in the U.S. Navy, specifically with fighter pilots, including the Navy’s Top Gun Pilots.

Please join us on Wednesday, October 19th at noon at El Pescador Restaurant in Fillmore (1305 W. Ventura Street) across the breeze way in the over flow room. If you wish to eat, the cost of lunch is $10. and may be paid at the door.

Soroptimist International of Fillmore is a woman’s group that works to improve the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world. We also raise money to give scholarships to students in our area.
If you have any questions please call: Jane David / Vice President of Soroptimist International of Fillmore at (805) 727-1145 or E-Mail Jane.David@ventura.org.

The Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity Awards program is Soroptimist’s major project. The program provides women with cash grants to offset costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education and additional skills training. The ultimate goal of the program is to help women improve their economic status by preparing them to enter or re-enter the workplace. Unlike other award programs, the Women’s Opportunity Awards can be used for books, child care, transportation or any other expense that will help a woman reach her educational goal.
Eligible applicants must be women who provide the primary financial support for their families, and who are enrolled in or have been accepted to a vocational/skills training program or an undergraduate degree program. Applicants must demonstrate financial need. Please contact Ari Larson, President of Soroptimist International of Fillmore at 805.794.7590 or petenari55@hotmail.com if you are interested in an application. The deadline to submit the application to SI of Fillmore is December 31, 2011.

Saturday morning from 8am to noon in the Super A Shopping Center parking lot the Fillmore Womens Service Club will have their annual rummage sale. The Fillmore Womens Service Club gives Fillmore High School Seniors scholarships to go on to college and trade schools, they also help women returning to school. Please come and support our club in this endeavor. We are always looking for new members, our club meets the second Weds of the month at the Senior Center at 7pm. You are welcome, come join us. If you want more information on club activities or scholarships, call Mimi Burns, President, 524-1823. Thank you for your continued support

Livingston VNA will be holding Joint Replacement Classes to prepare you for total knee or hip replacement surgery. Home preparation, exercises and information about your rehabilitation will be discussed.

November 30 @ 10:00 – 11:00
Cypress Place
1200 Cypress Point Lane, Ventura
RSVP: Diana Davis @ 642-0239 x 739

Wana Klasen's original art work is on exhibit at Four Brix Winery located at 2290 Eastman in Ventura .The winery is open to the public on Fridays from 4-8 PM and Saturday and Sunday from noon until 5PM. Tasting of four delicious selections of wine is available for $10.00.

Wana will be present at the winery on the next three Fridays of October to talk about her art work , and enjoy spending time with guests.

SACRAMENTO, CA – A 37-year-old man and an 86-year-old man, both from Kern County, are the first reported fatalities from West Nile virus (WNV) this year, Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the California Department of Public Health, announced today.

“These unfortunate deaths remind us of the potential danger from mosquito bites and West Nile virus,” Chapman said. To date in 2011, 88 human cases of WNV from 18 California counties have been reported. Last year 111 cases and six fatalities were reported.

WNV is most commonly transmitted to humans and animals through a mosquito bite. The risk of serious illness to most people is low. However, some individuals – less than 1 percent – will develop serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis. Individuals 50 years of age and older have a higher chance of getting sick and are more likely to develop serious symptoms. Studies also show that those with diabetes and/or hypertension are at greatest risk for serious illness.

Chapman said that the most effective way for individuals to prevent exposure to mosquito bites and West Nile virus is to remember the “Four D’s”:

1. DEET – Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaradin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 according to label instructions. Repellents keep the mosquitoes from biting you. DEET can be used safely on infants and children 2 months of age and older.

2. DRESS – Wear clothing that reduces the risk of skin exposure to mosquito bites.

3. DAWN AND DUSK – Mosquitoes that carry WNV bite in the early morning and evening so it is important to wear repellent at this time. Make sure that your doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep out mosquitoes. Repair or replace screens with tears or holes.

4. DRAIN – Mosquitoes lay their eggs on standing water. Eliminate all sources of standing water on your property, including flower pots, old car tires, rain gutters and pet bowls. If you have a pond, use mosquito fish (available from your local mosquito and vector control agency) or commercially available products to eliminate mosquito larvae.

California’s West Nile virus website includes the latest information on West Nile virus activity in the state. Californians are encouraged to report all dead birds and dead tree squirrels on the Web site or by calling toll-free 1-877-WNV-BIRD (968-2473). www.cdph.ca.gov