Sacramento, CA – The Franchise Tax Board (FTB) and the California Tax Education Council (CTEC) remind the 65 percent of California taxpayers who use a paid tax preparer to be cautious when choosing a professional.

CTEC and FTB partner to educate taxpayers about tax preparers’ legal responsibilities, and to make sure preparers are complying with the law. CTEC is a nonprofit corporation that registers individuals who assist or prepare returns for a fee and are not licensed Certified Public Accountants (CPA), Enrolled Agents (EA), or attorneys. CTEC was founded under the California State Legislature in 1997 to promote proficient tax preparation within the state.

The IRS/FTB joint brochure, FTB Publication 982, How to Select an Income Tax Return Preparer can help people when choosing a tax professional. The IRS also has tips for choosing a tax preparer.

The following organizations provide information about licensed and registered tax professionals in California:

· California Board of Accountancy dca.ca.gov/cba.
· California Society of Certified Public Accountants calcpa.org.
· State Bar of California calbar.ca.gov.
· California Society of Enrolled Agents csea.org.
· California Tax Education Council ctec.org.

Taxpayers are cautioned to avoid tax preparers who:

· Claim they can get bigger refunds than other tax preparers.
· Base their fee on a percentage of the refund amount.
· Refuse to sign the tax return as the paid preparer even though they are required by law to do so.
· Do not provide a copy of the tax return for the taxpayer’s records.

CTEC-registered tax preparers must complete courses on federal and state tax laws each year, plus obtain a $5,000 surety bond to protect clients against fraud. Unregistered individuals are issued a $2,500 penalty, which doubles if they continue to prepare returns. Other regulated tax preparers such as CPAs, EAs, and attorneys have their own industry requirements.

Last year, FTB assessed penalties on 113 preparers for failing to be properly licensed or registered. If taxpayers suspect a tax preparer is fraudulent, they should inform FTB online at ftb.ca.gov by selecting “Report Tax Fraud” under the online services, or by calling 800.540.FILE (3453).

The March 9th meeting and BBQ of the Piru Petroleum Club will be dedicated to the memory of Malcolm Jackson.

Malcolm Jackson was one of the founding members of the Piru Petroleum Club many years ago. One of his last great joys was attending their Friday BBQs at Britt Park in Piru twice monthly.

The meeting on March 9th is open to all friends of Malcolm Jackson and those whose lives he touched during his 94 years.

All proceeds from the day will go to Piru Petroleum for a memorial high school scholarship in Malcolm's name as well as general fund. Piru Petroleum Club currently gives out several scholarship awards each year to graduating seniors from Fillmore High School.

Raffle tickets will be available for a number of great items with the highlight being a guided fishing trip on Bridgeport Reservoir. The winner and their guest will be guided by Mundo Robles of Stay Bent Guide Service for one day of fishing, receive 2 nights lodging, and 2 dinners at local restaurants.

Danny Torres and his guitar will be there to provide entertainment and sing Malcolm's favorite song "El Paso". The Rib Eye Steak BBQ tickets will be $10 at the door. Doors open at 11am, BBQ served at 12.

Ventura County Irish farming families will serve as grand marshals as the 24th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade marches down Main Street in downtown Ventura on Saturday, March 17. The theme of the parade, which starts at 10 a.m., is "Everyone's Irish on St. Patrick's Day."

This year’s Grand Marshals are a familiar sight in the St. Patrick’s Day parade because many of the families are regulars in the line up. The McGraths have led a huge contingency of their family members in what has become one of the largest entries in the parade. Martin McGrath, a major organizer of the previous entries is delighted to be recognized this year along with many other farming families—the likes of which are the McCormicks, the Laubachers, the Aggelers, the Grahams, the Coutlases, the Clarks, the Leonards, the Morrises, and the Donlons Their commitment to preserving the farmlands of Ventura County and feeding the residents of California and around the world is long overdue for the honoring of being grand marshal.

The entry deadline is fast approaching and parade organizers are inviting additional Irish farming families to come forward.

Judging the parade will be: Trudy Arriaga, Ventura Unified Schools superintendent; James Lockwood, Ventura County Fair; Sue and Victor Georgino, Georgino Development; Captain James McHugh, retired Commander Navy Base Ventura County, and Philip J. Conron, AFC National Adjutant Legion of Valor.

Parade entries are being accepted until March 9. Parade organizers invite bands, dancers, acrobats, clowns, horses and organizations to participate in the county’s greenest event! Entry forms can be downloaded from the Parade’s website, www.venturastpatricksdayparade.com or by calling Jim Monahan, Parade Chairman at 643-4275.

WHAT: 24rd Annual County Ventura St. Patrick’s Day Parade
“Everone’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day"

WHEN: Saturday, March 17, 2012 at 10 AM

WHO: Grand Marshals: The Irish Farming Families of Ventura County

WHERE: Main Street in downtown Ventura, beginning at the Mission San Buenaventura, ending at Laurel Street

INFO: www.venturastpatricksdayparade.com or 643-1356.

Fillmore Vision 2020-Civic Pride Committee has selected Chris and Brittney Patterson of 264 4th St. as the Yard of the Month for March 2012, for their lovely and serene yard. The family includes two children Dylan and Makoa both 5 years-old. The family has lived in the house for 1 year.

The yard is surrounded by White Birch, Maple and Pine trees. A meandering border of red bricks undulates and separates the lawn from the attractive greenery and decorative rocks.

The Patterson family enjoys sitting in their front yard to relax and enjoy the birds taking a drink from the bird bath. Sometimes from the inside of their home they see an occasional wild animal go by. We don't doubt that as the greenery in the front yard is both peaceful and attractive.

The family received an Otto & Son's Nursery gift certificate for $25.

Fillmore Vision 2020-Civic Pride's Statement of Vision is to "Foster a thriving small town atmosphere in which civic pride, personal well-being and a balanced economy are nurtured and protected. The committee meets on the third Wednesday of the month at Fillmore City Hall (upstairs conference room) at 1:30pm. The public is welcome. Please call 805.524.3841 for more information.

Diane Beeler

Ventura County Garden Club invites visitors and gardeners to their next meeting to be held March 7th at the St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Santa Paula, 117 7th Street. At 1:00pm.

Diane Beeler will give a program on “Sustainable Gardening”. Her focus is creating sustainable garden eco-systems that are organic, beautiful and low maintenance. Diane is a member of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers, and a published garden writer. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of the “Ventura Botanical Gardens”, a project planned for the hills above Ventura. She is the designer of choice for the Fillmore Historical Museum's new landscape project, too.

For more information call Dorothy Allee, 805-525-8400, or go to the Garden Club website at: www.venturacountygardenclub.com

Vision 2020, Civic Pride Committee announces that “Celebration of Flowers” will be the theme for the 2012 Fillmore Flower Show to be held April 14,15 at the Senior Center located at 533 Santa Clara St., Fillmore, California. The show will be free to the public during the hours of 1:00pm-4:00pm both Saturday & Sunday.

Entries will be accepted Saturday, April 14, between 7:30am to 10:30am. There will be one entry fee of $5.00 for each adult exhibitor, no matter how many entries are entered.
There will be no entry fee for youth entries.

A youth poetry, prose, or short essay contest with the theme being the same as the show theme, “Celebration of Flowers” will be held & entries displayed in the Youth Room along with the floral arrangements. Although adult entries must use flowers from their own yard, youth entry flowers may be from a relative’s yard, or designated mentor’s yard.

Entry is open to all, but competitive entries are limited to residents of Fillmore Unified School District.

Entry brochures will be available soon at City Hall, the Library, the Fillmore Historical Museum, & the Senior Center. Mandolin & violin music will be provided by Asher Smith on Saturday and Sunday.

The Fillmore Historical Museum has a scrapbook that documents the Fillmore Flower Show from 1922 to 1990. Notes taken from the scrapbook for May 5, 1922, stated that Fillmore schools had a group entry with a wildflower exhibit that “was something fine and beautiful…a set piece representing a rainbow and bearing the words, “Fillmore Fortune Favored.” Today wildflowers are protected against picking because their numbers have been decimated over the years with spray & loss of open land.

Michael Powers

THOUSAND OAKS, CA - Ventura County Executive Officer Michael Powers will discuss “Leading a Successful County in the 21st Century” at the next California Lutheran University Corporate Leaders Breakfast.

Held in Ventura for the first time, the event will run from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Thursday, March 15, at the Ventura Beach Marriott.

In his position since April 2011, Powers oversees a $1.7 billion budget and more than 8,000 employees in 25 agencies and departments. He is responsible for all major functions including budget, finance, legislation, human resources, labor relations, economic development and information technology. His focus has been on quality public service, fiscal discipline and investing in the community and the county workforce.

Prior to his appointment, Powers was the director of the Health Care Agency, where he oversaw the Ventura County Medical Center, Santa Paula Hospital, the Ambulatory Care Department, the Public Health Department, the Behavioral Health Department, the Medical Examiner's Office and the county-run health insurance plan.

Before beginning his career with the county in 1992 as an assistant county counsel, Powers had worked in private legal practice with Nordman, Cormany, Hair & Compton. He studied economics and business at the University of California, Los Angeles, and earned a law degree from Loyola Law School.

The Ventura native has served on a number of community boards including the Ventura County Medical Resource Foundation, the United Way of Ventura County and the American Red Cross, Ventura County Chapter.

The Corporate Leaders Breakfast Series brings members of the business and civic communities together to share ideas and hear from prominent leaders in the region. The series will conclude with a presentation by Nova Medical Products CEO Sue Chen on May 1 at CLU.

The Ventura Beach Marriott is located at 2055 E. Harbor Blvd. Reservations are requested by Friday, March 9. To RSVP or for more information, contact Sharon Nelson at smnelso@callutheran.edu or 805-493-3150, or go to http://www.callutheran.edu/clb.

Fillmore FFA members have been busy showing off their leadership skills! Several weeks ago, Mr. Ricards and chaperone Kathleen Aguirre took twelve students to Monterey Bay to attend the Made For Excellence (MFE) and Advanced Leadership Academy (ALA). The six members who attended MFE were able to identify personal strengths and weaknesses that will help them become more adequate leaders. Students participated in team competitions which involved teamwork and communication skills. MFE focuses on growing leadership skills whereas ALA teaches students the importance of the agriculture industry, as well as issues that affect today’s agriculture. As an added educational experience, the Fillmore FFA members were able to explore the Monterey Bay Aquarium that houses nearly 200 exhibits.

On Wednesday February 15, fifteen FFA members competed at the Ventura FFA Section Speech Contest held at Camarillo High School. Students competed in contests including a CO-OP Quiz, Prepared Public Speaking, Creed, Extemporaneous Speaking, Impromptu, and Job Interview. After everyone competed, the students played different ice breaker games to calm everyone’s nerves while the judges tabulated the scores. The award ceremony brought great news for Fillmore FFA! The results are as follows: CO-OP Quiz 4th place Sierra Blankenship, 2nd place Ryan Calderon; Impromptu 2nd place Sal Lopez; Job Interview 2nd place Brooke Aguirre, 1st place Alexus Galassi. Congratulations to everyone who had the courage to compete!

Brooke Aguirre is FFA's Chapter Reporter

Jan Marholin, who recently retired as a principal at San Cayetano is shown here in front of the Fillmore Boys & Girls Clubhouse. As the new CEO She hopes to enhance the current programming by adding enrichment programs to support student learning.

On Tuesday, February 21, 2012 the Rotary Club of Fillmore Sun Risers presented a $500 check to Jan Marholin of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Clara Valley. The funds will go to help train Boys & Girls Club staff in Robotics.

Fund raisers by the RC of Fillmore Sun Risers include 1) the sale of Green Mountain Coffee. Green Mountain Coffee is high quality, organic and Fair Trade in origin. Bags of coffee are only $10. Contact Rotarian Kyle Wilson at Edward Jones in Fillmore. There are a variety of flavors. 2) Annual Casino Night at El Pescador, Friday, April 27th at 6:30 PM. Tickets available at Edward Jones Investment 330 Central Ave., Ste. C or call 796-0276. 3) Heritage Valley 10/5k Run/Walk on Saturday, May19th. We brought the 10k back and will have a new start and finish line and new course! Watch for details.

Upcoming speakers: Feb. 28 - Brian Edmonds, Fillmore Piru Citrus; March 6 - Matt Lallo of TO Rotary will speak on Children’s Cancer Hospital in Tijuana.

For more information about the Rotary Club of Fillmore Sun Risers, call Sean at 796-0276.

Save the Date: Sunday, March 11, 2012
Friends of the Carpenter family will be hosting a co-ed softball tournament in memory of Wes Carpenter.
The event will take place at Shiells Park in Fillmore, with a starting time of 8 a.m.
The price is $150 per team, with a limit of 20 teams. Money will be due by Monday, March 5. All proceeds will go to the Carpenter family.
Even if you're not playing, donations and/or support are welcome. We'd love to see you out in the stands!
Please email wessoftball@gmail.com if you have any questions or are interested in getting a team together.

The Fillmore Women’s Service Club has made a donation of $250 to the Science/Pride In America Club at Fillmore Middle School to support their Pride In America celebration that is held every year just before Memorial Day weekend. Pride In America Day is entirely devoted to celebrating America with the whole school participating. The day begins with students focusing on important aspects of America’s history and traditions in their classrooms. The students then attend an assembly that is opened with a formal posting of colors by a military honor guard and includes a tribute to veterans. It is followed by an American style picnic. Fillmore Middle School is proud to have inspired thousands of students to be patriotic Americans because of this special program. Mrs. Merrill, the advisor for the Science/Pride in America Club, was very excited to learn of the donation from the Women’s Service Club and intends to use some of the money for decorations that can be used for several years. Pride In America Day is planned by Mrs. Merrill and her students who learn valuable leadership skills in doing so. The public is always welcome to join the Fillmore Middle School students for this special day.

Ojai, CA - On Saturday, March 3, 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., the Food Council of the Ojai Valley Green Coalition is hosting Master Food Preserver, Laurie Dill at Casa de Luna (710 N. La Luna, Meiners Oaks) who will present the many uses for a variety of citrus fruit. From facial scrubs to chutneys, flavored salts and sugars, to jams and marmalades, lemons, blood oranges, tangerines and grapefruits will be the celebrities of the day. Whether you just want to surprise your family or think about starting a small business in citrus condiments, this presentation is bound to please. Tastings, recipes, demos and discussion from an animated presenter, Laurie promises to delight and tantalize your senses.

Most of us have heard about the Master Gardener program through the University of California, but who knew that there is a complementary program, the Master Food Preservers? These programs began as a result of World War II food insecurity when all the farmers went off to war and the kitchen "Victory" garden movement began to feed American families.

While the gardening program continued to modern day, the food preserving program faded into history as easy cash, fast food and microwaves ruled the day. Well, the Master Food Preserver program has been found, dusted off, and is ramping back up through the University of California, as communities like the Ojai Valley strive to grow more of our own food and stretch the harvest. Think peaches in December. Actually, think WAY beyond canning. Canning fruits and vegetables is just one method of preserving food; add freezing, drying, fermenting and non-food products to the list.

$30 OVGC members, $35 non-members payable at the door. RSVPs requested since there's food being prepared ahead to ojaiculinaryclub@gmail.com. For more information visit www.ojaivalleygreencoalition.org or call (805) 669-8445.

Don Snyder

The Fillmore Ebell Club will be honoring their past presidents at their monthly luncheon meeting February 28th. All of the past presidents have been requested to wear hats as a tribute to their past. The entertainment this month is Don Snyder a club favorite who has been entertaining the ladies for many years. Don is a premier Cabaret entertainer and will be transporting the ladies back to a more romantic, gentler, sophisticated era. The club is hoping the ladies of Fillmore would like to join their organization for a interesting and entertaining time in their lives. The Club will be meeting February 28th at 12:30pm at the memorial building. For more information and reservations please call LaVonne Deeter at 524-2090. Lunch is $12.00 per person.

Santa Paula, CA - Santa Clara Valley Bank (SCVBank; OTC BB: SCVE.OB) is pleased to help facilitate the beautiful new senior housing project “The Orchards of Santa Paula”, scheduled to have its formal opening March 1st. “We provided $1,975,000 in construction and permanent financing” reported President and CEO Cheryl Knight. “Although the project was well under construction without financing, SCVBank was happy and privileged to make this project a priority, working with a great team that included Ramsey Jay, executive director of the Santa Paula Housing Authority, and McGillivray Construction, general contractor.”

“At SCVBank we applaud the development of much needed affordable housing to accommodate seniors with disabilities who are still self sufficient. The project has strong architectural appeal, replacing a blighted project, conserving and re-using materials and emphasizing a green footprint. The 20 one-bedroom, one-story apartments are Craftsman style, low density with a lovely walking trail and mountain views. They add to the beauty of our community”.

Founded in 1998, Santa Clara Valley Bank has offices in Santa Paula, Fillmore, and Valencia. Under its stock symbol of SCVE.OB, Santa Clara Valley Bank's stock is traded through McAdams Wright Ragen, Raymond James, and Wedbush Morgan Securities. The Bank's web site is www.SCVBank.com.

Santa Clara Valley Bank Corporate Headquarters
901 East Main Street
Santa Paula, California 93060
805-525-1999

Statements concerning future performance, developments or events concerning expectations for growth and market forecasts, and any other guidance on future periods, constitute forward looking statements that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from stated expectations. Specific factors include, but are not limited to, the effect of interest rate changes, the ability to control costs and expenses, the impact of consolidation in the banking industry, financial policies of the United States government, and general economic conditions.

Oxnard, CA - Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County is seeking applicants in Nyeland Acres for its exterior home repair program, A Brush with Kindness. For low-income homeowners who qualify, Habitat for Humanity provides small loans and volunteer crews for simple repairs, such as painting, weed removal, and yard clean up. To learn more about this program, homeowners living in the Nyeland Acres community are invited to attend a February 23rd meeting at the Nyeland Acres Neighborhood Center, located at 3334 Santa Clara Street. The meeting will begin promptly at 7:00 pm.

Supervisor Zaragoza is a strong supporter of programs that support families in need, and he is proud to work with Habitat for Humanity on A Brush with Kindness. “A Brush with Kindness is an excellent program that supports families who own their home but have limited means to fix and clean up their properties,” said Zaragoza. “The program provides hope and pride for the family who owns the home, increasing property values in the neighborhood, bringing neighbors and the community together, and increases community pride.”

Supervisor Zaragoza is very proud of the work he has already done in the Nyeland Acres area, including opening the Nyeland Community Center (in cooperation with the Rio School District), helping to coordinate three neighborhood clean-up events (with County Integrated Waste Management Program), coordinating Town Hall meetings and special events, and bringing the El Rio Municipal Advisory Council meeting to Nyeland Acres.

”We are thrilled to participate in this exciting, new venture for Habitat for Humanity. We are optimistic about the positive impact we can make on the community as a whole and addressing the many housing needs of low-income community,” commented Stacy Swanson, Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County’s Executive Director.

Through A Brush with Kindness, Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County will work with other community organizations to determine the projects that will be carried out locally. Habitat services may include minor to critical repairs for low-income homeowners.

About Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County
Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing organization that builds homes in partnership with people in need of adequate shelter. Homeowners are selected based on their need for housing, ability to repay a zero-interest, no-profit loan, and willingness to partner with Habitat for Humanity. Because Habitat’s loans are no-profit, they are affordable for low-income family partners. Homeowners’ mortgage payments build additional houses through the Fund for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County, a locally-run and locally-funded affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, has provided homeownership opportunities for 54 Ventura County families and repaired over 500 homes since 1983. For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Ventura Country, visit: www.habitatventura.org. Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County was selected as one of 163 affiliates nationwide to participate in Habitat for Humanity International’s initial phase of its Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative, the umbrella program for A Brush with Kindness and Minor and Critical Repair program. That effort will focus on improving housing conditions while partnering with other community organizations to provide services that enhance the overall quality of life across struggling neighborhoods.

About Supervisor Zaragoza
John Zaragoza currently serves as the County Supervisor on the Ventura County Board of Supervisors. He represents the Fifth District, which includes Oxnard and unincorporated areas near Oxnard. Supervisor Zaragoza has a long history of distinguished public service. Supervisor Zaragoza began his career serving the public in 1962, working as a bus operator for the City of Oxnard. He was promoted to Assistant Transit Supervisor, then Refuse Supervisor and in 1978 was promoted to Refuse Superintendent. As the manager of a major city program, John lead the way in implementing progressive automated commercial and residential refuse collection programs, which saved residents and businesses hundreds of thousands of dollars in refuse costs. He later lead the team which implemented recycling and household hazardous waste programs, including completing plans to close the local landfill and build a waste transfer and recycling facility (now known as the Del Norte Recycling and Transfer Station). John retired as Oxnard Refuse Superintendent in 1993, and was elected to the Oxnard City Council in 1996. He served as Mayor Pro tem and City Council member for 12 years, as well as serving on numerous board and commissions. His leadership brought Oxnard residents and businesses lower crime rates; improved programs for youth, recreation and seniors; high-quality affordable housing; increased budget reserves; outstanding environmental programs and increased job opportunities.

Ventura, CA - The Cancer Resource Center at Community Memorial Hospital is offering a bi-monthly women’s cancer support group as well a free monthly series of creativity and expression classes for cancer patients.

The Women’s Cancer Support Group meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month from 6 to 7:30 p.m. It provides patients the opportunity to share experiences, information and assistance in coping with a cancer diagnosis.

Creativity Central, which next meets on Monday, Feb. 27, is led by internationally licensed artist and author M. Nicole van Dam. Classes encourage cancer patients to explore their creativity through art, handcrafts, writing and music. Works will be exhibited at the center so that patients can share with the community their growth and spirit.

Both the Women’s Cancer Support Group and Creativity Central are being held in Suite 105 at the Cancer Resource Center, located at 2900 Loma Vista Road. For more information or to RSVP, call 805/652-5459.

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.