FILLMORE, CA - Andy Klittich won second place at the 36th annual Professional Landcare Network’s (PLANET) Student Career Days (SCD) at Kansas State University located in Manhattan, Kansas. Klittich attends Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo, located in San Luis Obispo, California.

An annual event, SCD brought together a total of 817 students from 63 colleges and universities across the United States from March 22-25, 2012. Students participated in competitive events, networked with colleagues and green industry company personnel, and interviewed for internships and employment possibilities.

This three-day event for students enrolled in horticulture programs at two-year and four-year colleges and universities features competitions that are directly related to the skills necessary for a career in the green industry. The competitions are designed to challenge students on their knowledge of current industry standards and are judged by green industry companies.

“I would like to thank PLANET for putting on such an excellent event this year. Winning second place is definitely a milestone that I will always remember and I could not of achieved that honor without the help of my advisors at Cal Poly, the help and encouragement that the team gave me, and also the support of my parents,” says Klittich. “This win is even better because Cal Poly took second at this year’s competition.”

In addition to Klittich winning second place overall amongst individual students, the entire team of Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo also earned second place out of a total of 63 schools competing in this event.

Another highlight of the event is the Career Fair, where students have the opportunity to meet prospective employers in the industry and interview for job and internship opportunities. Fifty-seven companies from across the United States participated in this year’s Career Fair.

This year’s major sponsors included STIHL Inc. at the Platinum level; JOHN DEERE at the Gold level; Caterpillar, Gravely-an Ariens Company Brand, and New Holland Construction at the Silver level; and BRICKMAN, Husqvarna, Pavestone, and Oldcastle at the Bronze level.

PLANET is the association of members who create and maintain the QUALITY OF LIFE in communities across America. With more than 3,800 members, these firms and their employees represent more than 100,000 green industry professionals. Some of these professionals have taken the extra step of becoming certified through PLANET and bear the distinction of being known as Landscape Industry Certified.

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded taxpayers that quick and easy solutions are available if they can’t file their returns or pay their taxes on time, and they can even request relief online.
The IRS says don’t panic. Tax-filing extensions are available to taxpayers who need more time to finish their returns. Remember, this is an extension of time to file; not an extension of time to pay. However, taxpayers who are having trouble paying what they owe usually qualify for payment plans and other relief. Last month, for example, the IRS, as part of its Fresh Start initiative announced penalty relief for unemployed taxpayers and self-employed individuals whose income has dropped.

Either way, taxpayers will avoid stiff penalties if they file either a regular income tax return or a request for a tax-filing extension by this year’s April 17 deadline. Taxpayers should file, even if they can’t pay the full amount due. Here are further details on the options available.

More Time to File
People who haven’t CONTINUED »

One of the most common things I run into are users unable to open what they believe to be a “Microsoft File” but it won’t open. Now those of you who’ve resolved this know what I’m talking about. Those who haven’t, you’ll thank me for this simple fix!

The common question is, “I have MSWord, why can’t I open this?!” While this applies to Excel, Access, and Word, we’ll use MSWord for our example. A quick tutorial; all files have an extension at the end of them, even though you may not know it. This is how your computer knows what application to use when opening a file. The newer releases of MSOffice (2007 & 2010) save the files with an extension of ‘docx’ while the previous versions (97-2003) save files with the extension of ‘doc’. Note the “x” at the end of the new version? While the new version can read old versions, the older version is not smart enough to open the new version.

There are two solutions:

If you’re a user with MSWord 97-2003, download the file: ‘FileFormatConverters.exe’
Here’s the link: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=3

Install this Microsoft provided fix. You’ll now be able to see those files with the ‘docx’ extension. HOORAY!

If you have a newer 2007 or 2010 version of MSWord, FIX THE SETTING! The best way to resolve this is to set your new version of MSWord to ‘default’ saving the files in backward compatible format. Then, no matter who you send the files to, no matter what version of MSWord they have, the can read them. Here’s how:

1. Open Microsoft Word

2. Click the File tab.

3. Click Options.

4. Click Save.

5. Under Save documents, click Word 97-2003 Document (*.doc) in the Save files in this format.

That’s it!

I hope this bit of information helps you with your computer operations. Until next time, don’t forget your backups!

Harv Oliver is the owner/senior tech for HANDS-ON Consultations (HOC) Computer Support Services serving Fillmore, Ventura County & Beyond since 1998. For more information, visit the HOC web site at www.hocsupport.com or call (805) 524-5278. NOTE: Provided information is presented as a courtesy ONLY. Please check with an IT professional for assistance or perform suggestions at your own risk. Harv Oliver or HANDS-ON Consultations is not responsible for any activities users perform.

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In anticipation of the Fillmore Flower Show on Saturday, April 14th –Sunday, April 15th (1pm-4pm on both days) at the Fillmore Senior Center, Janet Foy with Fillmore Civic Pride/Vision 2020 read the book Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert to about 25 children on Wednesday, April 4th at the Fillmore Library.

After the story the children were able to design their own miniature flower arrangement and were encouraged to submit an entry to the flower show. Children’s submissions are free. There were two opportunity drawings for books and the children left with a bookmarker and a package of flower seeds.

For more information on the Fillmore Flower Show please call 805.524.3021. The Success through Reading programs are sponsored by Soroptimist International of Fillmore and the Friends of the Fillmore Library.

Mrs. Lewis is celebrating her April 7th birthday early as she was informed that her home (1018 Harthorn) was selected as the April Yard of the Month by Fillmore Civic Pride/Vision 2020.

The Lewis family has lived in the home for eight years moving to Fillmore after 28 years in Carpinteria.

The house is full of color with impatiens and geraniums. “I feel that plants are the ribbon around the package of the house, the icing on the cake so to speak,” said Mrs. Lewis. Purple allium has been trimmed and coming back. Also a type of white allium is in the large pots and in front of the porch. Pink flowered bushes bloom this time of year and are gone by summer. “I enjoy the coziness and welcoming feeling and the large shade tree already here helps,” stated Mrs. Lewis.

Congratulations and happy birthday to Mrs. Lewis on their beautiful home.

Fillmore Civic Pride/Vision 2020 whose vision statement is “to foster a thriving small-town atmosphere in which civic pride, personal well-being and a balanced economy are nurtured and protected” meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at Fillmore City Hall (2nd floor conference room) at 1:30pm. Please call 805.524.3841 for more information.

The Fillmore Flower Show, “Celebration of Flowers”, coming April 14, 15th, will feature some newly added categories because of interest at last year’s show.

Newly added categories will be: single stem cut iris divided into 3 classes for Bearded, Spuria, & Japanese; the potted plant division will have classes for African violets, Orchids, Cacti & succulents.

Vision 2020, Civic Pride Committee members have been busy preparing for the show, selecting award prizes, gathering door prizes and preparing potted plants to raise funds to continue this community endeavor. It takes many, many volunteers to have this effort run smoothly and it has been wonderful to see friends step in to help with this show even though they are busy people.

We still are in need of some more volunteers! If you would be able to help set up on Friday at 3pm, or to help Saturday morning getting entries carried in for placement at 7:30am, or just to help in a time slot as hostesses(standing or sitting in a room to see that nothing is touched or moved), please call Joanne King at 805-524-4904.
Volunteering is a great way to get to know others in the community and share in this worthwhile effort that first began before World War I.

The City of Fillmore advises all local non-profit organizations that applications will be available Thursday, April 12th, for 2012 firework booth permits.

Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 24th in the City Clerk's office at Fillmore City Hall, 250 Central Avenue. The fee is $400.00; all organizations must provide proof of non-profit status and complete a “no fee” business license application.

The City’s Municipal CONTINUED »

The Fillmore High School Alumni softball game has been rescheduled to Saturday, April 14th. We are still looking for FHS Lady Flashes softball players to fill some open slots so if you are interested in playing please contact Liz Hinklin at 805-905-9742 or by email at lhinklin@fillmore.k12.ca.us

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WELCOME FARM WATCH READERS!

The overall crime rate for this period vs. the same time period last year shows a decrease, however, we continue to have larcenies that include farm equipment and landscaping tools.

Agricultural Crimes Detective Ray Dominguez had the following update from his activities and investigations:

“Earlier this month we began seeing heavy equipment thefts being reported in the Camarillo area with a Bobcat skid steer and a John Deere tractor being stolen from two different farms. Another victim in Ventura was targeted for two burglaries within a week, and suspect(s) stole an ATV among other equipment and products.

These incidents only highlight the importance of marking and securing your property. The steps you take today to protect your property will pay dividends in the event you become the victim of a crime.

As I have mentioned in CONTINUED »

Camarillo, CA - CSU Channel Islands (CI) will host its 10th Annual Career & Internship Fair on Thursday, April 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the John Spoor Broome Library Plaza on the CI campus.

The event will feature more than 40 local employers who are currently recruiting to fill full-time, part-time and internship positions.

The Career & Internship Fair is free and open to members of the public as well as CI students. All participants are highly encouraged to come prepared with a polished resume and professional attire. For a current list of participating employers, please visit http://www.csuci.edu/careerdevelopment/our-services.htm.

The fair is the culminating event of Career & Internship Week, which features a series of workshops designed to help students prepare for the event. It’s sponsored by the Martin V. Smith School of Business & Economics and the Business & Technology Partnership.

Limited parking is available on campus with the purchase of a $6 daily permit; follow signs to the parking permit dispensers. Free parking is available at the Camarillo Metrolink Station/Lewis Road parking lot in Camarillo with bus service to and from the campus. Riders should board the CI Vista Bus to the campus; the cash-only fare is $1.25 each way. Buses arrive and depart from the Camarillo Metrolink Station every 30 minutes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday. For exact times, check the schedule at www.goventura.org.

For additional information, contact Amanda Carpenter, Coordinator for Career Development Services, at amanda.carpenter@csuci.edu or 805-437-3565.

About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands (CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research.

Physicians from Ventura Orthopedics and Livingston Visiting Nurse Association will present two informative Joint Replacement Classes to prepare you for total knee or hip replacement surgery. Bring your question and learn about home preparation, what to expect before and after your surgery, helpful exercises and rehabilitation.

Open to the public and free of charge, the classes will be held:

April 23rd, 4:00 pm @ Help of Ojai’s Oak Tree House, 111 W. Santa Ana Street, Ojai.
April 25th, 9:30 am @ Wilson Senior Center, 350 North “C” Street, Oxnard.

RSVP Diana Davis @ 642-0239, ext. 739

Sandy Morse, RN
Director of Community and Professional Relations
Livingston Memorial VNA
1996 Eastman Ave, Suite 101
Ventura, CA 93003
smorse@lmvna.org
642-0239 x 653
805 276-8870

Livingston Hospice conducts several adult bereavement support groups to help those who have experienced a loss. Explore and express feeling, understand the grief process and receive emotional support. Open to the public, free of charge, all are welcome.

The groups are held:

Weekly: Wednesday; 3:00 – 4:30 pm @ The First Presbyterian Church, 850 Ivywood Drive, Oxnard
Weekly: Wednesday; 6:30 – 8:00 pm @ Livingston Memorial VNA, 1996 Eastman Ave (#106), Ventura

Bi-Monthly: 2nd & 4th Tuesday; 3:00 – 4:00pm @ The Townhouse, 4900 Telegraph Rd, (7th floor), Ventura

Monthly: For the newly bereaved; 2nd Thursday; 6:00 – 7:30 pm @ Livingston Memorial VNA, 1996 Eastman Ave (#106), Ventura.

For more information call: 642-1608
Sandy Morse, RN
Director of Community and Professional Relations
Livingston Memorial VNA
1996 Eastman Ave, Suite 101
Ventura, CA 93003
smorse@lmvna.org
642-0239 x 653
805 276-8870

Join us in a celebration of the Visual and Performing Arts and our youth. There will be a Art Show, Musical Performance, Drama, Reception, and Sale. It will be held April 17, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building 511 Second St. Student art and photography exhibit, Jazz and concert band performances and Drama and Poetry Club performance.

Applications are now available for the Fillmore Women's Service Club Educational Scholarship for Adult Women returning to College or Trade School. Applicants must reside within the Fillmore School District and be 25 years of age or older. For information and an application form please telephone Susan Banks at 551-3862

The Sespe Players and Fillmore High School proudly present “Guides” written and directed by Josh Overton. This is an inspirational story about the spiritual influences we have around us and how our lives are touched by them. “Guides” is a great show for family, friends and those who are curious as to what or whom gives us our “intuition”. All shows will be performed at the Sespe Auditorium on March 30, 31 and April 1st.

Performances on Fridays and Saturdays will start at 7:30pm with Sundays at 2:00pm. Tickets are available before each show and are priced at $5 for students, $8 for adults and $15 to attend all performances. For more information, please call 805-217-2402