Enlarge Photo

Enlarge Photo

"September 20th will be here before you know it. That is the day Team Namaste is participating in Relay for Life. This is a 24 hour event our team has participated in for several years. We do this to support those who are battling cancer, honor those who have passed away and last but not least try to raise money to help with cancer research and programs that the American Cancer Society has developed to help those suffering with cancer. To date our team has raised over $4,000 . . . but we're not done yet. I'd like to thank several Fillmore vendors who are helping our team by showing some baskets our team is raffling off for this event.

The vendors are:
Patterson Hardware - Dodger basket
Vintage Pleasures - Doll basket
Fro-yo Frozen Yogurt - Lakers basket
Elkins Golf Course - donation of a round of golf for 4 individuals

We also have a USC basket, a Raiders basket and a frozen basket. The tickets are selling for 3 tickets for $5.00. We will continue selling the tickets through Saturday, September 20th and will pick the winners at the Relay for Life event. If you are interested in purchasing some tickets you can contact Lola Rogers (team captain) at 805-276-9274.

Our team would like to thank you in advance for your support.

CAMARILLO, CA - “Hogs for Dogs,” the first poker motorcycle run to benefit Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS), will take place on Saturday, Sept. 20,, 2014. The ride will kick off with registration from 9 – 11 a.m. at Ventura Harley-Davidson, 1326 Del Norte Dr., Camarillo, and travel to three additional stops throughout Ventura County before ending at the fifth and final stop, where a family-friendly festival will be happening from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the VCAS Camarillo Adoption Center, 600 Aviation Dr.

The cost to participate is $25.00 per rider and $10.00 per passenger and includes snacks, lunch and prizes.
During a poker ride, riders collect cards at each stop and, at the final stop, those with the high and low poker hands are awarded prizes. Those who love animals but are not motorcycle riders are encouraged to support VCAS by attending the free end-of-ride festival where they will enjoy live music, raffles, games, vendors and fee-waived pet adoptions.

Preregistration is not required, ALL types of motorcycles are welcome and proceeds will go toward the care and comfort of animals waiting to be adopted at VCAS Adoption Centers.

The ride, organized and hosted by the SEIU 721 Union Bikers Caucus, is being supported by many local businesses. For more information or to become an event vendor or volunteer, contact: Jann Linsalato, SEIU worksite organizer, at: (818) 298-8488 or janthebiker@gmail.com.

Oakland, CA - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is providing several new tools to assist communities, including news media, to help promote September’s National Preparedness Month (NPM). This is the first year that NPM will also include the America’s PrepareAthon Fall Day of Action on September 30.

The goal of America’s PrepareAthon! is to build a more secure and resilient nation by increasing local awareness about the types of disasters that could happen in one’s own community and what to do to be safe and prepared; but most importantly, practicing a response to these disasters. Therefore, this campaign is focused on getting people to take action, such as participating in a preparedness drill, exercise, or discussion to increase their level of emergency preparedness.

The following are resources available to communities and newsrooms:
• A digital guide on how to promote and participate in 2014 National Preparedness Month.

• The National Preparedness Month Digital Engagement Kit includes suggestions for engagement through social media as a way to promote National Preparedness Month, September 1st-30th.

• Three promotional preparedness videos, that include:
o It Started Like Any Other Day- 4:11 (Full version) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_omgt3MEBs
o It Started Like Any Other Day- :30 Seconds (Promo) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVeQw9uCfJc
o It Started Like Any Other Day- :15 Seconds (Promo) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hvvl6urVy-4

• Register with America’s PrepareAthon!, which provides Day of Action guides, How to Prepare guides, and customizable promotional materials designed to help Americans take action and join the growing number of individuals who recognize that preparing for disasters is a shared responsibility.
Follow FEMA Region IX online at www.twitter.com/femaregion9.

Ventura, CA - Community Memorial Health System holds regularly scheduled free Smoking Cessation classes. The next eight-session classes begins on Monday, Sept. 8.

The class includes sessions on how to handle smoking urges, how to handle stress and moods and how to handle slips. Sessions on weight and exercise, lifestyle balance and life without cigarettes also will be covered. Nicotine replacement therapy products are also provided to program participants.

The classes are at the CMH Cancer Resource Center located at 2900 Loma Vista Rd., Suite 105 in Ventura. The cost is $50.

Classes are held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Registration is required. For more information or to register, call the CMHS 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 twelve family-practice health centers entitled Centers for Family Health. The health system is located in Ventura County, California.

The Sept 3rd meeting of the Ventura County Garden Club will be held at St Paul's Episcopal Church located at 117 N. 7th Street in Santa Paula. The meeting will begin at 1PM.This will be a 'Meet and Greet' or 'Welcome Back' meeting to review proposed programs or to get feedback from members on other topics of interest. We welcome existing members as well as anyone interested in joining our group as we celebrate our 90th year. There is no charge for the meeting and light refreshments will be served. For further information please contact : Carol Cutright 805-889-1969

Sacramento, CA – The California State Assembly today passed legislation to increase funding for the California Competes program which helps businesses seeking to locate or stay in California. Assembly Bill 1560 allows an increase of up to $25 million per year in tax credits to the California Competes program through 2019 to manufacture advanced strategic aircraft in the state. Assemblyman Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo), a principal co-author of the legislation, praised the bipartisan support for the bill.

AB 1570 was originally a Gorell privacy bill, but after coordinating with the Assembly Speaker, was amended entirely to advance the economic development legislation.

“The California Competes tax credit has been hailed by the Chamber of Commerce as a job creator, and is already projected to create thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in state investment,” stated Assemblyman Gorell. “As aerospace employers look to bid on the military’s next-generation Advanced Strategic Aircraft Program, this tax credit will help them bring even more jobs to California. The golden era of aviation was born in California, and we are working here to bring that innovation back to our state.”

The California Competes Tax Credit was approved by the legislature in 2013, providing awards of up to $200 million annually to businesses seeking to locate or stay in California. The program is run by the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz). In its first year of operation, the program was so popular that it was oversubscribed by $470 million.

Two previous pieces of legislation to help California companies compete for the Advanced Strategic Aircraft Program were also co-authored by Assemblyman Gorell. AB 2389 and SB 718 were passed this by the legislature in the past few weeks and subsequently signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown. While voting for these bills, Assemblyman Gorell stated that he believes that these are the type of economic development tools that will promote the future of the aerospace industry in Ventura County as well as the rest of California.

Based on figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in the past year California’s unemployment rate has fallen from 9.0% to 7.4%, but is still significantly above the national average of 6.2%.

Ventura County Library cardholders can now borrow dynamic content from their smartphones, tablets and PCs through a new partnership with hoopla digital (http://www.hoopladigital.com/). Thousands of movies, television shows, music albums and eaudiobooks are available for mobile and online access.

Ventura County Library cardholders can also download the free hoopla digital mobile app on their Android or IOS device or visit http://www.hoopladigital.com/ to begin borrowing titles from major Hollywood studios, record companies and publishers.

“Ventura County Library focuses on partnering with services like hoopla digital who keep our content and capabilities fresh and on par with modern technologies,” said Jackie Griffin, Library Director at Ventura County Library. “Our customers can now use their library card to access educational and recreational content on-the-go. They can also stream or download content on the hoopla app or web site for free. Plus, there’s no waiting period for popular titles and the service’s automatic return means no late fees.”

The Ventura County Library is available 24/7 at www.vencolibrary.org.

Camarillo, CA – Residents of Ventura County donated thousands of dollars in school supplies including backpacks for local students from low income families, making Assemblyman Jeff Gorell’s (R-Camarillo) “Stuff the Bus” grass-roots effort a resounding success.

“Today’s students are the future of Ventura County, and ensuring that our students are prepared for the coming school year makes us all stronger,” said Gorell. “I’m really proud of the charitable response we have received from the community, and I’m glad that I am able to bring this effort to my district.”

Staff and volunteers from Hueneme Elementary School District, the Oxnard Union High School District, Community Action Partnership of Ventura County, Big Lots and a host of others stuffed a school bus with boxes of school supplies, and the supplies were driven back to the school for sorting and distribution by school administrators.

“We strive to help our students reach their highest potential. Our kids are not always equipped with the supplies they need to make this happen. This effort will help our kids immensely,” stated Hueneme Elementary School District Superintendent Dr. Jerry Dannenberg. “I’d like to thank Assemblyman Gorell for organizing this effort as well as everyone who contributed to make it a success.”

“Stuff the Bus”, a grass-roots effort presented by Assemblyman Gorell, ran for two weeks and culminated in a final day effort collecting donations of school supplies to deliver to students from families who might otherwise not be able to prepare their kids for the new semester. The last day effort at the Big Lots store in Camarillo, one of the locations where supplies were collected, brought together a coalition of businesses and community leaders, including Community Action Partnership, who fueled the success of “Stuff the Bus” by donating their time and resources to the effort.

Major supporters of the Stuff the Bus effort included:

• International Paper donated $500 ($250 to each school district)
• AT&T Pioneers (in-kind contribution of 50 backpacks)
• Big Lots (in-kind)
• Community Action Partnership (in-kind)

Ventura, CA - Community Memorial Health System is sponsoring a free live simulcast of “TEDMED Live,” an annual conference focusing on health and medicine originating from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, Sept. 11.

TEDMED Live will be held in two sessions from 9:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 3:05 p.m. at the Museum of Ventura County, 100 E. Main Street in Ventura. The intent of the conference has been described as “a gathering of geniuses” that brings together some of the most innovative, thoughtful pioneers of healthcare technology, media, and entertainment to learn from one another and mix people up from different disciplines and industries to solve big problems in healthcare.

Session 9:45 to 11:15 a.m.: “Don't You Dare Talk About This.” This session will raise controversial issues in health and medicine that many people are reluctant to discuss publicly. Speakers include Sigrid Fry-Revere, organ donation ethicist; Patricia Horoho, Army surgeon general; Elizabeth Kenny, patient performer; Carl Hart, drug data dealer; Amy Baxter, pain deflector; Leana Wen, transparent physician; and Heather Raffo, global witness/artistic healer

Session 1:30 to 3:05 pm: “Play Is Not a Waste of Time.” This session reveals the many ways that imagination rewards us, specifically how health and medicine are enhanced through the extraordinary power of play. Speakers include Gerardo Contino, Cuban musician; Kayt Sukel, edgy science writer; Rupa & The April Fishes, rock star hospitalist/rebel musician; Carla Pugh, haptic educator; Jill Vialet, recess champion; Cole Galloway, pediatric motor learning scientist and designer; and Howard Rose, health games designer.

Seating is limited and reservations are required. For more information or to register visit www.cmhshealth.org/rsvp or call 800/838-3006.

Community Memorial Health System is a not-for-profit health system, which is comprised of Community Memorial Hospital, Ojai Valley Community Hospital, and twelve family-practice health centers entitled Centers for Family Health. The health system is located in Ventura County, California.

Join our vibrant art community by expressing yourself in the new sketchbook check-out program at E.P. Foster library. We have archival quality sketchbooks that check-out for three weeks, giving customers ample time to create wonderful sketches, poetry or other forms of 2 dimensional art.

The goal of this program is to create a personal and public museum of Ventura County residents art. All skill levels are welcome to participate in this creative community endeavor.

In addition to our sketchbooks we check-out DVDs, books, magazines, e-books, and of course, ukuleles. We have free parking, free WIFI and desktop computers to use for one hour per day. Amazing things happen when you have a library card!

The Ventura County Library is available 24/7 at www.vencolibrary.org.

CAMARILLO, CA - The Ventura County Community Foundation is accepting proposals to support behavioral health programs in Ventura County through a primary prevention approach aimed at reducing the number of people who need services.

The VCCF Health Fund will award a minimum of $80,000 to support local programs using at least one of three primary prevention strategies. These strategies focus on: 1) enhancing places where people live, work, attend school, seek recreation, to name a few; 2) connecting people to strengthen positive social-emotional development; and 3) fostering prosperity to enhance opportunities for self-sufficiency.

The application deadline is 3 p.m. Sept. 22, 2014. Proposals must be received in the VCCF offices by the deadline. Those that are postmarked the day of, faxed or arrive late will not be accepted.

Submit completed proposals to Ventura County Community Foundation, Attn: Linda Garcia, vice president, Philanthropic Services, VCCF Nonprofit Center, 4001 Mission Oaks Blvd., Suite A, Camarillo, CA 93012.

A staff member from organizations that plan to apply are strongly urged to attend an applicant information session from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 22, at the VCCF Nonprofit Center, 4001 Mission Oaks Blvd., Camarillo. To attend, please RSVP to Natalie Kamajian at 805.330.6673 or nkamajian@vccf.org. Bring a copy of the RFP, available at vccf.org/grants/index.shtml, to this session.

For more information, visit vccf.org/grants/index.shtml or contact Linda Garcia at lgarcia@vccf.org or 805.330.6678.

In observance of the Labor Day holiday, employees of Santa Clara Valley Disposal will be taking the day off on Monday, Sept. 1. As a result, Fillmore city residential customers will have their trash and green waste collected on Saturday, Sept. 6, one day later than usual.

The regular Friday collection schedule will resume the following week.

For more information, call 647-1414.

The Moorpark Beer Festival Committee announces that the 5th Annual Moorpark Beer Festival will take place on Saturday, October 11 at Moorpark College. The community fundraiser is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Moorpark Morning. Presale tickets are on sale at www.MoorparkBeerFestival.com and are offered at a 20% discount before October 4th. VIP tickets are $80 and General Admission are $40. Designated Driver tickets are offered for $20.

Dylan Gunning, Chairman of the Moorpark Beer Festival, had the following remarks: “This year will be the best Moorpark Beer Festival yet. We are excited to be back at Moorpark College and have many breweries returning to serve their beer.”

Entering it’s 5th year, the Moorpark Beer Festival has become a staple in the Eastern Ventura County community calendar. The event raises money for local nonprofit organizations. Last year, the Moorpark Rotary Club Foundation donated $20,000 in festival profits to 20 community organizations and schools.

For more information about the Moorpark Beer Festival, visit www.MoorparkBeerFestival.com.

Piru, CA - Due to ongoing severe drought, United Water Conservation District will not be offering whitewater boating on Lower Piru Creek in 2014. In normal years, the District releases water from Lake Piru for several weeks in September and October in order to recharge downstream groundwater basins. Due to the very low levels of water stored in Lake Piru this year, the District will not conduct a fall release and rafting and kayaking on Lower Piru Creek will not be available in 2014. For more information on future whitewater boating opportunities, please contact Lake Piru Recreation Area Senior Park Services Officer Clayton Strahan at 805-317-8990 or claytons@unitedwater.org

Location: Diamond Realty Of Fillmore, Corner Of Central Avenue And Santa Clara In Fillmore
Date: Friday, August 15, 2014 At 5pm-7pm

The Artists Guild of Fillmore is celebrating the 100th Birthday of our city in artistic style with an exhibit of original, one of a kind post card size works of art. The art harks back to the time before facebook, twitter, email and other modern day forms of communication, and speaks to the time when a brief note was placed on a small , 4" x 6" decorated card and was mailed to friends and family far and wide!!. .

These small, ready to frame works of art are available for sale and are a perfect way to begin or add to a collection of art by local artists. The art is presented anonymously, so the buyer finds out the artist's name after purchase!!! The concept is patterned after similar gallery exhibits , especially the annual event at the Royal Academy of Art in London, England.

Participating artists are Judy Dressler, Karen Scott Browdy, Lady Jan Faulkner, Lois Freeman Fox, Joanne King, Wana Klasen, Virginia Neuman,, Doris Nichols, Luanne Hebner Perez and Lia Verkade. Along with Theresa and Henry Robledo of Diamond Realty we invite you to join us for this festive, artistic celebration of Fillmore's 100th Birthday! We hope to see you at the Reception!!!!

Enlarge Photo

October 26, 2014
12:00 noon- 4:00 pm
370 Baldwin Rd., Ojai CA 93023

Ojai Raptor Center, (ORC) a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of birds of prey and other wildlife, and to providing educational programs to teach communities about wildlife and our shared environment.

The Center is closed the public year-round due to the sensitive nature of wildlife in rehabilitation, but on Sunday, October 26th, ORC will open its doors to the public for a rare opportunity to meet all 18 of our non-releasable “ambassador” raptors.

Hawks, falcons, eagles, and owls will be on hand to greet guests with concurrent presentations on the ORC stage along with special guest Julie Tumamait-Stenslie, Chumash elder, who will be sharing native stories about our local wildlife throughout the afternoon. Drinks and snacks will be available for purchase as well as activities for children, auctions, and raffles.

Ojai Raptor Center Open House will be a free event with a suggested donation of five dollars. Handicapped parking will be available. Overflow parking will be located one street down from the Center where Pegasus shuttles will be running every 10 minutes.