Do you want to do something significant with your time? If you can spare a couple of hours a week, you CAN make a life-changing difference for a court-dependent abused, abandoned or neglected child in your own community!

Court Appointed Special Advocates (C.A.S.A.) is a nation-wide non profit organization that trains volunteers to advocate for abused, neglected and abandoned kids in the foster care system. Currently in Ventura County, there are over 1,000 court-dependent children living in foster and group homes. Over 200 of these children who are the most "at risk" because they have few or no family supports, are appointed to our program.

We have a great need for more volunteers– especially men, and those who are bi-lingual in Spanish and English! An Informational Orientation is taking place Tuesday, May 29th, 2012 from 6 :30 - 8 pm at a location in Camarillo for people to learn more about how they can help. If you are interested in attending, please contact Bernadette at (805) 389-3120 or email bernadette@casaofventuracounty.org You’ll be glad you did and so will a child in need! (Tax deductible donations are also GREATYLY appreciated ! Please mail to CASA of Ventura County, POB 1135, Camarillo, CA 93011-1135)

Wednesday, May 2, 2012
4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

VENTURA, CA - May is Watershed Awareness Month and on Wednesday, May 2, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., the Santa Clara River Watershed Committee is inviting the community to celebrate the successful efforts in the Santa Clara River Watershed. Hosted by Hansen Agricultural Center (Faulkner Farm, 287 S. Briggs Rd. in Santa Paula), this is event is free to the public.

Speakers will educate, and motivate attendees by addressing the accomplishments, challenges and untapped opportunities for the future of the Santa Clara River Watershed. Posters and exhibits by local organizations will provide highlights of programs underway to protect and enhance the watershed.

Speakers include:

Ventura County Supervisor Kathy Long

John Krist - Chief Executive Officer, Farm Bureau of Ventura County

Mike Solomon - General Manager, United Water Conservation District

Ron Bottorff - Founder and Chairman, Friends of the Santa Clara River

Rick Gould - Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services, City of Santa Clarita

Also, on separate days, free tours will be held to help the public learn more about the successful efforts to restore the watershed and improve sustainability.

Saturday, May 12, 2012 - 9 a.m. -10 a.m. - Nature Walk and Talk tour of the Hanson property owned by The Nature Conservancy Property in Santa Paula, 11 a.m.- noon - docent led tour of the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula (926 Railroad Ave.) featuring farm implements used in the extensive agriculture industry in the county.

Saturday, May 19, 2012 - 9 a.m. -10 a.m. - the City of Santa Clarita will discuss its purchase of the last natural three-acre section of Bouquet Creek (27150 Bouquet Canyon Rd.) within city limits and look at the restored native plant palette after invasive plants were removed. From 11 a.m.– noon - tour of the recycled water system used at La Verne Nursery (3645 Camulos St.) in Piru that captures irrigation tailwater and storm water for reuse on fruit trees.

For maps, more information and how to RSVP visit: http://www.vcstormwater.org/scr or contact Lynn Rodriguez at lynn.rodriguez@ventura.org.

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The 2012, Fillmore Flower Show, “ Celebration of Flowers” sponsored by Vision2020/Civic Pride Committee has come & gone leaving memories of enthusiastic volunteers, fragrant & colorful flower specimens, bouquets and arrangements displaying creative talent in abundance, lovely floral artwork, and a community eager to continue this tradition that began before WWI.

The nationally certified judges, Barbara Schneider, Susan Diller & Una Lopez, again expressed their enjoyment in participating in our show & offered their support by purchasing roses by donation. They are pleased that we are offering training & encouragement to interest the youth of Fillmore & surrounding areas with flower show protocol and competitive design methods.

This year an arrangement workshop was led by Charlene Smith for the teenagers at One Step A La Vez. A “hands on” miniature flower arrangement session led by Janet Foy was combined with the Soroptimist/Friends of the Library reading program at the Fillmore Library for younger children and a “bay leaf” wreath- making event was included in Cindy Klittich’s 4-H meeting. The wreaths were made as a fundraiser for next year’s flower show. These training workshops helped produce a “Best of Show” winner from our Youth Division this year!

The youth are required to bring their flowers and decorations and ideas to the show and then put them all together there without help from others. The creativity demonstrated is wonderful and inspiring for all who attend.

Asher Smith has provided violin music for the last 4 years and played both Saturday and Sunday, making a nice tradition for the show.

It was decided that this year’s “Best of Show” award would be presented in honor of Sarah Hansen, an active member of our Civic Pride Committee for years.

2012 Flower Show winners by division were: Best of Show, Lauren Fairall, 12 years old, with her theme “cake” of flowers topped by candles.

Division I, (Rose: cut, single stem) Joanne King; Division II,(Iris: cut, single stem) Carolyn Lasky; Division III, (Other single stem, cut) Mark Ortega; Division IV, (Bouquets) Charlene Smith; Division V, (Arrangements) Charlene Smith; Division VI, (Miniature Bouquets & Arrangements) Susan Hopkins; Division VII (Potted Plants) Mark Ortega; Division VIII, (Dish Gardens) John Zermeno; Division IX, (Youth Arrangements) Lauren Fairall; Division X, (Youth Compositions) Lauren Fairall.

We, who work on the shows’ planning team, value the support of Fillmore city staff like Joe Zuniga and workers that put up our big banners over Central Avenue, Patrick Maynard for helping us with the brochures, and Annette Cardona for the use of the Senior Center location.

We know the show would not be possible without all the help. Cindy Klittich designed & printed the bookmarks for the youth entrants, Marci Thompson loaned tables, Otto and Sons Nursery provided roses for decoration and fundraising and many hard workers came in Friday to help with set up & remained Sunday for “take down”.

We appreciate our local merchants who support us each year by putting up posters, passing out brochures and providing door prizes. Please “shop locally” and check out their merchandise and services. Give them a big “thank you” for supporting the Flower Show!

Merchants providing doorprizes were Attractions Spa, Avenue Pet, Mimstar, Otto & Sons Nursery, Patterson Hardware, The Scented Path, and The Treasure Station.

Individuals providing door prizes were Carolyn Lasky with a rare Green Goddess calla lily from the Huntington Library gardens and her beautiful cymbidium orchids for fundraising and as door prizes and the King & King Ranch with 4 decorated baskets displaying their extensive collection of fruit grown.

And please, remember that you are all invited to participate in bringing the flower show and other worthy community projects like historical plaques, “Yard of the Month” awards and flower plantings in the downtown area to fruition. Come add your voice and effort to improve quality of life and esthetic appeal to our community. Civic Pride Committee meets the third Wednesday of each month at 1:30 PM in City Hall.

This Saturday, April 28, from 8 am until noon, the Bardsdale United Methodist Women will conduct their annual spring Courtyard Sale at the historic Bardsdale church.

When the yellow ribbon comes down, incredible bargains can be found downstairs in LeBard Hall among tables of kitchen ware, electronics and appliances, shoes, toys, books and bric-a-brac. Outside will be racks of clothing, home furnishings and other larger items.

Savvy shoppers are sure to find just what they're looking for at a great price.

Proceeds from this popular event supports the many ministries of the Bardsdale United Methodist Women. The church is located at 1498 Bardsdale Aveue.

VENTURA, CA - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office will commemorate National Crime Victims’ Rights Week with a ceremony and march on Wednesday, April 25, 2012. We invite all to attend and join our collective reflection and recommitment to victims’ rights and services. The program will begin at 11:45 a.m. at the Ventura County Government Center, Hall of Administration, Board of Supervisors Hearing Room, 800 South Victoria Avenue in Ventura.

This year’s ceremony will include remarks by Ms. Gabriella Aguirre, daughter of slain Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputy Peter Aguirre. Deputy Aguirre was murdered in the line of duty on July 17, 1996, while investigating a family disturbance in the Ojai area.

Additionally, the District Attorney will present the Crime Victims’ Rights award to Ventura County Sheriff’s Senior Deputy Ryan Clark and Deputy William Hollowell for their work in a Lockwood Valley case in which a ten-week-old baby was murdered.

Following the program will be the March for Victims around the Government Center. Lunch will be provided by Interface Children Family Services, the Coalition for Family Harmony, and the Coca-Cola Bottling Company. This event is free and open to the public.

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, first recognized in 1981, is April 22-28, 2012. This year’s theme – Extending the Vision: Reaching Every Victim – celebrates the vision behind the progress in advancing victims’ rights and the ideal of serving all victims of crime.

Ventura, CA - Community Memorial Hospital’s Cancer Resource Center will be holding a Cancer Survivors Day celebration to honor cancer survivors on Sunday, June 3.

A “cancer survivor” is anyone living with a history of cancer – from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of life, according to the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation, which reports that an estimated 12 million Americans are cancer survivors.

The event will include food, as well as games, raffles and speakers. The event is a celebration of life and hope. The celebration will begin at 11:30 at the Ventura Beach Marriott in Ventura.

The CMH Cancer Resource Center offers a variety of services designed to meet the needs of individuals faced with a diagnosis of cancer, as well as providing programs for family members, friends and the community-at large. These services are offered free of charge in a comfortable, non-hospital setting.

Cancer Survivors Day celebration is a collaborative effort of Community Memorial Hospital, the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation. Reservations are required. Please call (805) 652-5459 or go to cmhshealth.org/rsvp.

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 11 family-practice health centers entitled Centers for Family Health. The health system is located in Ventura County, California.

Ask the Doctors: Wilson Senior Center and Livingston Visiting Nurse Association is hosting a Joint Replacement Seminar to prepare you for total knee or hip replacement surgery. Two well know physicians will discuss what you need to know before and after surgery, home preparation, exercises and rehabilitation information . Open to the public and free of charge, the seminar is on Wednesday, April 25 @ 9:30 am at Wilson Senior Center, 350 North “C” street, Oxnard. RSVP Diana Davis @ 642-0239 x 739

VENTURA, CA - District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that his office, together with 43 other California District Attorneys and the City Attorneys in San Diego and Los Angeles, has filed and settled a civil law enforcement action in Ventura County Superior Court against CVS Pharmacy, Inc. The settlement resolves allegations that CVS, headquartered in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, violated California laws for the safe storage, handling and disposal of sharps waste, pharmaceutical and pharmacy waste, photo waste containing silver, and hazardous waste generated from spills and customer returns of hazardous products.

The California investigation began after local officials discovered that CVS was investigated by environmental enforcement officials within the State of Connecticut. Acting in response to that information, inspectors with the Ventura County Environmental Health Division conducted a compliance review at local CVS stores and found evidence of improper storage, handling and disposal of hazardous waste and pharmaceutical waste products. Ventura County District Attorney Investigators teamed up with these inspectors, as well as the California Department of Toxic Substances Control and other district attorney investigators from around the State, to work cooperatively with CVS to address findings of statewide violations of law at CVS stores. As a result of the investigation and prosecution, regulated wastes produced by California CVS stores must now be properly stored, handled and transported, and disposed of at proper facilities with appropriate records kept documenting compliance with lawful procedures.

The alleged violations occurred over a seven-year period at hundreds of California CVS stores, pharmacies and distribution stores, including Long’s Drug Stores that CVS acquired and converted to its brand. CVS currently operates 23 stores in Ventura County.

Under the Final Judgment signed by Ventura County Superior Court Judge Barbara Lane, CVS must pay a total of $13.75 million in civil penalties, costs and for supplemental environmental projects furthering consumer protection and environmental enforcement in the State, and will be bound under the terms of a permanent injunction prohibiting similar future alleged violations of law. CVS is ordered to pay $295,750 in civil penalties and cost recovery to the Ventura County Environmental Health Division and Oxnard Fire HazMat, and $1,277,500 in civil penalties and cost recovery to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.

This Sunday, April 22 at 3 PM, the Westmont College Chamber Singers will present a unique program of choral music in the sanctuary of the Bardsdale United Methodist Church.

This varied a cappella program will include sacred and secular music from the 15th century to present-day jazz and pop music. Classical music will include Baroque and Renaissance music styles from Europe as well as later compositions from Mexico and America. Highlights include Two Motets from Ojai composer John Biggs, folk songs including a witty arrangement of the American favorite Buffalo Gals, the spiritual Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child, as well as Gershwin's Love Walked In.

The group's director, Dr. M. Grey Brothers, grew up in the Bardsdale Church. He is the son of John and Myrt Brothers, long-time members of the church and teachers in the Fillmore schools. This beloved couple are accomplished musicians and artists and have made countless contributions to the church and Fillmore community.
We hope you will come and help welcome Dr. Brothers and these extremely talented young people and enjoy an afternoon of singing.

The church is located at 1498 Bardsdale Avenue.

If you're a bargain shopper, mark Saturday, April 28, on your calendar because it's time for the annual Bardsdale United Methodist Church Spring Courtyard Sale.

The shopping will begin at 8 AM and runs until noon.

As always, great deals will be found in clothing, housewares, tools, toys, furnishings, books and bric-a-brac.

This event is organized by the United Methodist Women and proceeds fund the many ministries they support.

The church is located at 1498 Bardsdale Avenue.

Irvine, CA - The Hass Avocado Board (HAB), which conducts generic avocado marketing for foreign and domestic suppliers of Hass avocados in the United States, is scheduling its annual board elections for vacant domestic Hass avocado grower and Hass avocado importer members as well as alternate seats.

In mid-April, announcement of open seats will be mailed to all eligible producers and importers of Hass avocados, with a deadline for receipt of nomination forms on May 11. The HAB expects to mail ballots to producers and importers by June 1 with a June 29 deadline. New members and alternates will be seated at the board meeting in November 2012.

The HAB also has reaffirmed its proactive policy of seeking board members who reflect the demographics of the avocado industry while supporting the Board’s membership diversity goals. "The HAB has a history of making considerable efforts to emphasize the participation of qualified persons for Board and committee positions without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital or family status, or other basis protected by law," said Emiliano Escobedo, Executive Director.
"Like many institutions, HAB benefits by having a broad and diverse membership so we encourage women, minorities and persons with disabilities to seek nomination to the Board and actively participate," he added.

In addition to regular monitoring of board composition, the HAB will encourage diversity by publishing information about the policy prior to board elections, ensuring notification in internal and trade publications.

About the Hass Avocado Board
The Hass Avocado Board was established in 2002 after approval by producers and importers of Hass avocados in a national referendum, and operates under the supervision of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Both producers and importers are involved in the HAB, which covers fresh domestic and imported Hass avocados sold in the U.S. market.

Ventura, CA - The Human Services Agency of Ventura County (HSA), which coordinates the foster child program in the county, will be highlighting the urgent need for foster parents for teens, siblings and children with special needs during May, which is Foster Care Awareness Month.

Currently, some 240 foster families, 70 Foster Family Agency homes, and 170 relative caregivers provide a safe, secure and supporting environment for more than 800 foster care children in Ventura County.

"The need for couples and individuals to open their doors and hearts to foster kids is ever present," says Judy Webber, deputy director for the county’s foster care program. "Our most pressing need is to find foster parents who will take in teens. Many older kids have lived in numerous family settings during their young lives. When they must exit foster care their foster parents are typically the only adults who have given them the hope, understanding and guidance needed to achieve their dreams."

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The Annual Soroptimist Awards Dinner
Date: Wednesday, April 18th
Time: 6pm-8pm
Location: El Pescador-Fillmore
Tickets: $15 (pay at the door)

As this year’s tax filing deadline approaches (April 17, 2012) the American public can be confident that IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS CI) is working vigorously to stop abusive tax schemes and related federal offenses. The enforcement of offenses involving return preparer fraud, questionable refund fraud and identity theft remain high priorities for the IRS.

“The IRS Criminal Investigation takes violations of tax law very seriously,” said Leslie P. DeMarco, Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation, Los Angeles Field Office. "Tax Return Preparers and individuals who choose to prepare and file false tax returns, steal refund payments, misuse client’s identity, or in any other manner undermine the honesty and integrity of our tax system risk prosecution.”

In the greater Southern California area, IRS Criminal Investigation special agents are actively investigating those involved in alleged criminal violations of involving alleged return preparer fraud, questionable refund fraud, and identity theft. United States District Court records for the Central District of California reveal the following legal actions this week:

Costa Mesa Tax Preparer Indicted for Aiding and Assisting
In the Preparation of False Tax Returns

Today, on April 13, 2012, Ronald Vernon Strawn, 67, of Costa Mesa was arrested in Prescott, Arizona.

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