On November 24, 2009 the Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Clara Valley released a notice to the media and club families that the Clubs would be closing for the foreseeable future due to significant financial constraints. The Board of Directors was not aware of this decision at the time and quickly rescinded that notice. We regret any confusion this may have caused and apologize for this miscommunication to our members, their families and the communities we serve.

Since that time the Board of Directors have met together as well as with the staff of the Clubs. We view the actions of the Executive Director as an internal personnel matter and by policy will not be discussing it. We wish to emphasize that we are committed to keeping the Clubs up and running. The Board and the Club’s Staff are passionate about serving the youth in the Santa Clara Valley and believe the Boys and Girls Club is a positive place that provides so many worthwhile programs.

The current recession we are all experiencing has stricken the country and adversely affected many companies and individuals. Clearly the economy has also affected most non-profit organizations including our own Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Clara Valley. Many of our generous donors in the past have been hit hard by this recession and have temporarily had to reduce or curtail their support for our organization. We are confident this is a temporary situation.

As we approach the beginning of the New Year, we are asking for the help of all the communities we serve. If you are committed to the belief of keeping our youth engaged in positive programs and off the streets, we would encourage you to send a donation of any amount to: P.O. Box 152, Santa Paula, CA 93060 or P.O. Box 18, Fillmore, CA 93016.

We want to take this opportunity to thank all of those generous companies and individuals who have so kindly donated in the past. Your contributions are needed now more than ever! The Board also wishes to acknowledge our Club Staff who cannot be thanked enough for their commitment and dedication to our children who they care for so completely. They are making the difference on a day-to-day basis.

Ventura, CA - Dr. Robert Levin, Public Health Officer for Ventura County Public Health, today expanded the list of eligible people for the H1N1 vaccine, to include all law enforcement personnel, and all people 65-years of age and older, whether healthy or high risk. Previously the vaccine has been available to the following targeted groups: children and young adults from the ages of 6 months to 24 years of age; all caretakers and household contacts of infants under 6 months of age; pregnant women; people 25 – 64 years of age with serious health conditions, such as lung disease, asthma and diabetes; and health care workers and medical first responders who have patient contact.

“We are pleased to expand the group of people eligible to receive the vaccine because we are seeing an increase in vaccine supplies and a decrease in the length of the lines of people waiting to be vaccinated,” said Dr. Levin, who attributed the decrease in demand to the receipt of the vaccine by many of the county’s physicians and clinics and to Public Health’s efforts in reaching the community with targeted community flu clinics, as well as expanded hours in Public Health clinics.

“There have been approximately 70 million available doses in the U.S. to date, out of a projected 150 million doses that will eventually be distributed,” said Dr. Levin. “With nearly half the population recommended to be vaccinated having done so, I feel confident that expanding the current list to include these two very important segments of our population – first responders and seniors – is a logical and necessary move.”

In a sampling of county clinics, a Camarillo medical office noted that they have “much vaccine on hand with a decrease in demand.” Additionally, clinics in Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks have reported the same. Visits to doctors for influenza-like symptoms, both nationally and locally over the past few weeks, has been tapering off. Dr. Levin stressed that as we move into the annual seasonal flu season at the end of this month, it is likely we will see a spike in H1N1 as well, a third wave of the pandemic, and people should not become complacent about getting immunized. “We know that 9 out of 10 people who wanted to be vaccinated against H1N1 but didn’t receive the vaccine earlier, said they would try again. Now is a good time for these two important groups to get their vaccinations, as the vaccine is increasingly available,” added Dr. Levin.

For more information on H1N1, visit the Public Health website at: www.vchca.org/ph.

Fillmore Sun Risers Rotary President Joe Aguirre joined Santa Paula Rotary President Pamela Lindsay Monday presenting Mike Powers, Director, Ventura County Health Care Agency a check for over $11,000, a Rotary Humanitarian Grant. The presentation was made at the Santa Paula Rotary meeting at Logsdons Restaurant.
The grant provides funds for a Sonosite Ultrasound Linear Array Transducer for the Santa Paula Hospital Emergency room. This new equipment will provide improved diagnostic capabilities for the Emergency Room. Additional funds will be provided to the hospital to aid in funding health fair activities providing no-cost testing to local residents for many potential health issues such as diabetes and mammograms.
The grant was made possible by donations from the Fillmore Sun Risers and Santa Paul Rotarians in partnership their Rotary District 5240 and with Rotarians from sister Rotary Districts 4160, Mexico and District 3720, Korea. Our local Rotary District 5240 joins annually contributing with the Mexican and Korean Rotarians to jointly engage in projects in the three countries on a rotating basis. This year, Rotary District 5240 and the community of the Santa Clara Valley were the beneficiaries of this truly Rotary International effort.

Reflecting the true reason for the season, Moon Valley Nurseries of the Piru-Fillmore area has come forth with two significant efforts to support the upcoming 32nd Annual Piru Christmas Parade & Festival as well as the valley’s seasonal holiday dressings.

In the coming days, Piru’s historic downtown will be graced with over a dozen potted Juniper trees to decorate the area’s business district. Local community and youth groups will decorate these trees, once placed on the town sidewalks, with colorful trimmings. This will truly light the way for the spirit and will be in place throughout the holiday season. These temporary ornamental trees will grace Center Street in the downtown area between Main Street and Via Fustero. This comes just in time for the annual parade, scheduled for noon on Saturday, December 12, 2009. The parade will be followed with a community festival.

The festival will feature DJ music, Mariachi Jalisco, CONTINUED »

Fillmore High Alumni Association

The November meeting of the Board of Directors of the Fillmore High Alumni Association was held at the home of Marla DeZavala, with eight of the eleven members present. Several issues were discussed during the meeting. The alumni association is donating two six by twelve foot banners to the high school to be hung in the gym. One banner will have the words to the alma mater and the other will be the words to the fight song. The alumni board has become aware that many students do not know the words to these two songs and feel it is important that they know them as part of the tradition of Fillmore High School. The banners will be presented to the study body at a home basketball game in January. Mark Ortega and Trish Gradias proposed to sell tamales at Christmas time to help raise funds for the high school band uniforms. They have everything all set up, but the determining factor if this will take place is the securing of a Certificate of Insurance, which we must have before doing this. We are looking into securing this certificate from our insurance company. Barry Thompson brought up the subject of the alumni sponsoring a golf tournament next June 11, on the Friday before the alumni dinner on June 12. This event also needs a Certificate of Insurance. If we can't get the certificate, Barry says he will put together a golfing event for anyone wishing to play golf on the Friday before the alumni dinner. Brenda Feeney Diaz, class of '78, was voted in as a new member, beginning with the February, 2010 meeting. Mark and Trish, along with Steve Conaway manning the P. A. system, sold 36 of the alumni coffee mugs at the football game played Friday, November 20. The Shasta Daisies have been planted in the area on the east side of the football field, and we are hoping to get a picture of that area to the paper soon. The alumni is still asking for financial support to help pay for the daisies that were purchased for this planting. Any amount you wish to donate will be greatly appreciated. So far, eight members have contributed to the fund. Subscription renewals for the Flashbacks are coming in, so if your subscription runs out this year, please send in your renewal as soon as possible. The picture of the Bardsdale students that was in the November Flashbacks has prompted responses from Patty King, Bob Morris and Marie McCoy identifying many of the students. We really appreciate their response, and the picture, with the names will be in the February issue of Flashbacks. Also, anyone who wishes to send in any memories of their days at Fillmore High or growing up in Fillmore, such as Gerald Hamm, Joe Scanlin, Florine Campbell Ernst and Art Sallee have done, please send them in as members really enjoy reading about days long past.

The Class of 2010 sold 1094 Marie Callender's Thanksgiving Pies
1st place - Sandra Osuna 55 pies = $605, 2nd place - Alexis Briano 36 pies = $396, 3rd place - Brittany Gurrola 31 pies = $341. Also thanks to the students that came over to the Memorial Bldg. and helped us at various jobs and of course their teachers who allowed them to come. Grad Nite Live received $5 per pie so our gross was $5,470. Our trip this year will cost $23,000, so we are slowly getting there!!
Thanks Again. Mrs. Chaney, President, Annette Fox, Vice Pres., Barbara Lemons, Secretary

In these uncertain times and with tragedy a part of the news on an almost daily basis, we need to remember something - Never put off saying what is in your heart to those you care about, including your community!
Unfortunately, I lost sight of that rule this summer after being in Fillmore for the dedication of the new community pool. Although I meant to get a letter written and into the paper right away, I kept putting it off.
Months have gone by and I still think of Fillmore everyday and want to express our family’s humble appreciation. From the bottom of our hearts, let me say that I thank the city and its’ citizen for naming this beautiful community pool in Neil’s honor. What a legacy!
Although I have moved to Northern California to be closer to my daughter and her family, Fillmore is always in my heart. Neil loved this town. He chose to spend the rest of his life here, and I know he is watching over you everyday with great pride.
Sincerely,
Julie Schmidt
Fillmore

California Highway Patrol

On 10-18-09, at approximately 1830 hrs, Deputy Biter conducted our first Start Smart Program in the City of Fillmore. This program was held at the Fillmore City Fire Station Briefing room. There was a total of 15 people that attended the program; comprised of parents, teenagers, CHP Officer Terry Urich, Deputy Peterson and Deputy Vazquez.
The class centered on the different laws and aspects for new drivers or those teenagers looking to get their licenses. It gave the people an image of the consequences of their actions while driving. It gave a forum for those attending to pose questions, learn laws pertaining to new drivers and different techniques for driving. The class posed many situations and scenarios for new or perspective drivers, as well as their parents to reflect on and consider.
This class will be held in the future to avail others the opportunity to attend this educational experience.

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Is it or isn’t it? Last Wednesday, after midnight just outside of Fillmore, Ysmael Enriquez’ German Shepherd “Lassie” was attacked by another animal, perhaps left over from Halloween. Enriquez acted quickly, killing the attacking animal with a machete. So has Fillmore been visited by the mystical Chupacabra or is it something less sinister. You decide.

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VENTURA, CA - On December 12th 2009, the Ventura Family YMCA will host its fourth annual “Breakfast with Santa” from 8 – 10 a.m. Admission to the event is FREE to YMCA members and community residents with a donation of an unwrapped toy or gift card which will be donated to the ACTION Foundation. The ACTION Foundation, a community based outreach group, will distribute the gifts collected to more than 900 local low income families.

“Breakfast with Santa” provides children and their parents the opportunity to enjoy a pancake breakfast and meet with Santa who will be available to listen to all of the children’s Christmas wishes and take pictures. Children will also have the opportunity to create a holiday craft to take home.

Each year the Ventura Family YMCA chooses a local not-for-profit to partner with and all of the toys that are donated are distributed to children and families in need. Past partners include Casa Pacifica, Kids to Kids, VCMC Children’s Oncology Unit and Kids and Families Together. This year, all toy donations will be distributed to ACTION Foundation families in need.

ACTION Foundation sponsors “The Community Christmas Shoppe” which brings together volunteers from over 40 area churches to serve local low incomes families by providing them with toys for Christmas. Each event has been a huge success over the last five years. ACTION Foundation is a California non-profit, facilitating service projects and outreach opportunities with churches and other agencies to reach those in need.

For more information about attending “Breakfast with Santa” please call The Ventura Family YMCA at (805) 642-2131 or visit www.ciymca.org/ventura

About the Ventura Family YMCA
The Ventura Family YMCA serves over 20,000 individuals annually through facility memberships, before & after school childcare, day & resident camps, youth sports, swim lessons, teen programs, and many more healthy lifestyles and community enriching programs throughout Ventura, Oxnard, Ojai, Santa Paula, and Saticoy. Through the Open Doors program the YMCA ensures that no one is ever turned away due to their inability to pay and facility memberships without contracts or join fees makes the Ventura Family YMCA accessible to everyone. The Ventura Family YMCA is located at 3760 Telegraph Rd., Ventura, CA 93003.

The Humane Society of Ventura County will hold its annual “Santa Paws” fund-raiser on Dec. 5 and Dec. 12, where pets – with their families – can have their pictures taken with Santa.

The photo shoots will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. both Saturdays at the HSVC’s Ojai shelter, 402 Bryant St. The cost is $20 for one 4 x 6 photo, but for an extra donation, families can have a compact disc containing all the digital photos taken of them. Photos and CDs will be ready to take home on the same day.

HSVC Executive Director Sherry Garberich-Brockus emphasizes that all family members are welcome to join in and be in the photo.

“Bring your pets, bring your kids, it’s a family event,” she said, adding that dogs must be on a leash and cats in a carrier. “In the past we have had dogs, cats, birds, pigs, even a horse! A good time will be had by all. Last year’s event was a great success. It’s a first come, first serve, so come early”.

Shelter Director Jolene Hoffman will be doing her best animal noises, and working with the kids and animals again this year to create the best possible photos.

“She is the best,” Garberich-Brockus said. “After 25 years of experience doing this event, it’s entertaining just to watch her.”

Proceeds go to the care of animals for the Humane Society in need throughout Ventura County.

For more information, call 646-6505 or 656-5031.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Unit Responsible: Thousand Oaks Police Department Crime Prevention Bureau

It is that time of year again when criminals will begin looking for opportunities to make their holiday season more enjoyable. Here are some tips to help you have a happier holiday.
Holiday Tips At Home
• Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave the house, even for a few minutes.
• When leaving home for an extended time, have a neighbor or family member watch your house and pick up your newspapers and mail.
• Indoor and outdoor lights should be on an automatic timer.
• Leave a radio or television on so the house looks and sounds occupied.
• Large displays of holiday gifts should not be visible through the windows and doors of your home.
• When setting up a Christmas tree or other holiday display, make sure doors and passageways are clear inside your home.
• Be sure your Christmas tree is mounted on a sturdy base so children, elderly persons or family pets cannot pull it over on themselves.
• If you use lights on your Christmas tree ensure the wiring is not damaged or frayed. Frayed or damaged wiring can cause a fire.
• Place your Christmas tree in water or CONTINUED »