The past few weeks here at Fillmore High have certainly been busy ones- September 13th was our Renaissance Celebration, recognizing all students with a 3.0 GPA and above for their academic excellence. This event was held in the Sespe Auditorium and despite a modest turnout was more successful than many in years past, thanks to its planning committee from ASB, headed by Commissioner of Renaissance Johnny Wilber and the members of his committee: Anissa Magdaleno, Sammy Martinez, Esperanza Ocegueda, Ana Morino, Alejandra Amezcua and Nathan Zavala.
The list of recipients of the Renaissance award is included as follows: Class of 2012-Vanessa Aguliar, Bryanna Aguilar, Stephanie Aguilera, Sandra Alcocer, Oscar Alferez, Brooke Alvary, Rachelle Arreguin, Blanca Ayala, Jennifer Ayala, Eddie Baez, Jenny Bonilla, Taelor Burhoe, Steven Casarez, Kendal Davis, Taylor DeZavala, Tania Dominguez, Westley Fairall, Miguel Garcia, Alvaro Nathan Garnica, Alexander Gonzalez, Jonathon Gonzalez, Monica Gonzalez, Gonzalo Gutierrez, Stephanie Hernandez, Neira Hernandez, Nenetzin Herrera, Itzelle Iniguez, Jose Iniguez, Rogelio Lemus, Jaynessa Lopez, Vanessa Lopez, Viviana Magana, Kenya Medina, Gabriela Melendez, Jenna Mendez, Jordan Mendoza, Luis Montejano, Susana Morales, Ashley Morino, Ana-Christina Morino, Roberto Munoz, Taryn Munro, Nguyen Nguyen, Andrea Ocegueda, Yvonne Paes, Cindy Peralta, Victor Ponce, Jazmine Rodriguez, Adolfo Rodriguez, Nicole Rodriguez, Daniela Rosales, Jose Sanchez, Katherine Stewart, Juan Valdovinos, Vanessa Villa, Larissa Villanueva, Jenna Wilber, John D. Wilber, Nathan Zavala, Marc Zavala. Class of 2013- Brooke Aguirre, Mariana Alamillo, Jose Almaguer, Brenda Alvarez, Jesus Amezcua, Donna Arreguin, Monique Avila, Blaine Aviles, Brian Ayala, Alexis Barajas, Katie Boyton-Rogers, Marlene Carvajal, Krystal Casillas, Aureliano Ceballos, Yulianna Ceja, Vincent Chavez, Jose Contreras, Yanelle Diaz, Rene Escobedo, Collin Farrar, Karla Flores, Alexander Frias, Billy Gabriel, Victor Gallegos, Cassandra Galvez, Victor Garcia, Briana Garcia, Laura Garnica, Louis Gomez, Eduardo Gomez, Javier Guerrero, Selena Guerrero, Tyler Hackworth, Nicholas Hastings, Alissabeth Hernandez, Nerina Inda, Nadia Jimenez, Desiree Lagunas, Veronica Laureano Rosales, Salvador Lopez, Yazmine Luna, Noe Magana, Jaime Magdaleno, Jennifer Martin, Cynthia Martinez, Sammy Martinez, Jeremy Martinez, Rocio Medina, Daniel Meza, Shelbi Miller, Anthony Murray, Delila Ortiz, Mary-Louise Ortiz, Sarah Pace, Christian Pech, Jose Perez, Bryan Rosas, Sandra Ruiz, Courtney Salazar, Jazmine Sandoval, Lilyana Santa Rosa, Kennedy Smith, Jessica Suarez, Michael Topete, Marisol Torres, Beatriz Tovar Salcido, Destiny Toyooka, Amairani Valdivia, Hugo Valdovinos, Rogelio Vargas, Amanda Vassaur, Armando Vidal, Maira Villalobos, Angelica Zavala. Class of 2014-Gilberto Acevedo, Raquel Aguilar, Banely Arevalo Robles, Justin Beach, Wendy Bolanos, Anyssa Cabral, Erick Cadena, Martin Ceja, Frank Chavez, Karina Contreras, Lizeth Cornejo, Pedro Corona, Gustavo Alexis Cortez, Riley DeZavala, Marissa Dorantes, Citlali Erazo, Jorge Esparza, Nicolas Frias, Kayla Grove, Ricardo Gutierrez, Laura Guzman, Kiana Hope, Nicholas Johnson, Anthony Larin, Jose Madrigal-Flores, Kendra Magana, Emerio Manzano, Daniel Martinez, Jessica Mayhew, Caitlin McCall, Carson McLain, Jesus Mendoza, J. Donovan Mitchell, Jillian Moser, Melissa Nunes, Joseph Orozco, Ruben Orozco, David Peralta, Omar Ponce, Kiana Ramirez, Daniel Regalado, Juan Rodriguez, Luis Rodriguez, Vanessa Rodriguez, Paulina Rosales, Jazlyn Sanchez, Kayla Shepard, Jennifer Solorio, Nikole Spencer, Cheyanne Tarango, Cesar Vasquez, Daniela Valdovinos, Jaime Valdovinos, Jordyn Vassaur, Felicity Zavala.

After each award was handed out to the students present, senior at FHS Vanessa Villa presented a speech to Mrs. Juarez, who was chosen to be honored with the Renaissance Teacher’s award.

“Mrs. Juarez is being presented tonight with the Renaissance award. I was asked to give a small speech on her behalf. Ms. Juarez is one of the two Spanish teachers at Fillmore High School. She currently teaches classes ranging from Spanish level 1 to AP Spanish Literature. She is also MEChA Club advisor.

I had Ms. Juarez as a teacher for three consecutive years beginning with my freshmen year in Spanish Native Speaker 1. I recall her putting on Jorge Ramos, a news reporter, and then beginning a discussion in class concerning a current event. The experiences in Ms. Juarez’s class teach the students to be more accepting of others, the value of being bilingual, appreciate cultures, to work together, and the value of knowing one of the most popularly spoken languages of the world. I recall the enthusiasm she had for all the material we covered, including grammar packets. The Pluscuamperfecto has never escaped her editing wrath. Whenever a question arose as to how to say a word in Spanish, she always directed them to the dictionaries along the wall. The usage of Spanglish towards the end of the year was forbidden. The docking of participation points were used to motivate the class to try to keep it Castellano, especially during the final exam, also known as the ten-minute presentation. The time after an exam was considered sacred movie time. The Orphanage is still my favorite, even if the class was screaming every 20 minutes from the suspenseful music.

The approach of any Spanish-speaking countries holiday was always announced and then a snippet of that countries’ culture was included into the day’s lesson. I do not know exactly how line dancing is related to Cinco de Mayo but it works. I recall going into her classroom in the mornings and finding new students helping each other with homework and chatting in fluid Spanish or Spanglish. Whenever a question arose in regards to English or math homework, she always managed to pull an unsuspecting student in to help. That student was, at times, me.

The preparations for a MEChA Celebrated holiday were, to say the least, stressful times. In the end though, everything always worked out. The new officers did not have time to settle down. September 16, was Mexican Independence Day, November 2 was the day of the dead and then some time in December would be the enchilada dinner. Then the biggest celebration would be Cinco de Mayo, with the court of princesses, queen, and music. On each of these days, everybody would be encouraged to dress in the traditional colors or costumes. Ms. Juarez always wore her huaraches.

With this, I leave you now. Ms. Juarez is not only a magnificent teacher, but also an advisor to a great many students. She has helped, guided and inspired. She has repeatedly told us that we will go to college and has helped us achieve that goal. Without Ms. Juarez, I do not know how many students would not have gone on to the University to achieve their dreams.”

You may have noticed that Fillmore Highschool has been buzzing with Homecoming week activity since Monday. Our theme this year is ‘Fables in Flashland’ and our parade is on Friday at 2:50pm. All are welcome to come outside and support our football team, the cheerleaders, Homecoming Court and the Grand Marshal among others that will be present in the festivities. Details on the events of Homecoming will be in next week’s issue!

The United Methodist Women of Bardsdale will be holding a Fall Courtyard sale this Saturday, October 1, from 8 AM until noon at the freshly repainted and historical church.

There will be clothing, shoes, kitchenware, books, tools and knick-knacks. Just in time for the holidays, there is also a selection of Christmas decor.

Proceeds will benefit the ministries of the Bardsdale UMW.

The church is located at 1498 Bardsdale Avenue.

Grad Nite Live is getting the Senior Class of 2012 ready to sell Marie Callenders Thanksgiving Pies. This has always been a great fundraiser for us and a true convenience for the families of Fillmore They will start selling Oct 1st until Nov. 11th. We have school closed from Oct 10th to Oct 17 (fall recess). The seniors can still sell during the October Holiday. However, changes this year in November has the schools closed the week of the 21st to the 25th ((Thanksgiving Holidays). Tuesday the 22nd is the day Grad Nite Live will be getting the pies ready for distribution and the seniors won't be in school so the only thing we can hope for is that the parents, grandparents and friends will assist the seniors in getting them to the Memorial Bldg. to help pick up their pies. This is the first time we've had this problem so if you have any ideas that might help us please call Mrs. Chaney at 407-5759.

The Fillmore Women's Service Club once again has donated food to the Fillmore Senior Center for their Senior Center Pantry. Rita Avila, a member of the Fillmore Women's Service Club, who works with the seniors at the Fillmore Senior Center on a daily basis, knows how much donations like these are needed to keep the Senior Center pantry stocked for those Fillmore seniors who need help. Members of the Fillmore Women's Service Club also have been donating their time for delivering meals, and helping with other activities. If you have time or items to donate, or just want to enjoy the activities, please stop in at the Senior Center the hours are 8am to 1pm Monday through Friday or call for more information and a list of activities: 524-4533.

Ventura, CA. – This week, commuters throughout Ventura County will be meeting new people, taking cars off the road, and arriving at work more relaxed. One of them will even win an Apple iPad2. Why? Because, as part of their pledge to go “green” for Ventura County’s Rideshare Week 2011, they have opted to share the ride to work.

The Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC), in partnership with the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (VCAPCD), is sponsoring its annual Rideshare Week this week (October 3-7). Ventura County commuters can save money on travel costs, avoid many of the stresses associated with driving, and even be entered to win great prizes, including an Apple iPad2. "Go Green Ventura," this year’s theme, encourages Ventura County residents and employees to try ridesharing and other “green” forms of transportation.

Finding “greener” ways to travel is not something to be taken lightly. “Changing habits isn’t easy for anyone, but the long-term effects of driving less are positive,” said Judy Willens, Air Quality Specialist for the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District. “An early morning bike ride to work takes some planning, but so does consolidating all of your errands at lunchtime on the day you drive the carpool. After the change becomes a new habit, it’s as easy as the old way – with benefits.”

Ventura County employers are encouraged to promote Rideshare Week at their worksites, and free downloadable event kits are still available at www.goventura.org. Many employers find employees who rideshare come to work feeling more relaxed and less stressed because they avoid the hassle of driving in heavy traffic. “There are even tax incentives available to employers who provide assistance to employees who use transit or vanpool services,” added Alan Holmes, VCTC’s Commuter Services Program Manager.

Rideshare Week participants submit pledge cards indicating how they plan to save some green by going green. Pledge cards are also available online at www.goventura.org. All pledge forms must be returned to VCTC by October 12, 2011 to be eligible for the prize drawing.

For more information regarding Rideshare Week, event kits, or ridesharing, visit VCTC’s website at www.goventura.org or call VCTC Commuter Services at (800) 438-1112.

October 15, 2011

At the Piru Petroleum Club (Britt Park)

Join us for a full day of fun.

People’s choice sampling starts at 2:00 pm.

Horseshoe tourney starts at 12:00 pm. ? maybe earlier

Chili Cooks starting time is 11:00 am.

Bring the kids, aunts, uncles, neighbors, family, friend’s exc.… Waterslide for the kids.

For more information contact Bruce Foy, Richard Arias, or Pat Casas

Chili cook-off rules & entry contact Bruce Foy at bogieputz@yahoo.com entry fee $25.00 if received by 10/7/2011 after that $40.00 non-sanctioned cook-off (maybe next year)

Horseshoe entry contact Richard at Richardarias@weatherford.com or (805) 207-2807

Pat at spemtns@aol.com or (805) 207-4655 entry fee $20.00

On Tuesday, September 13th the County Board of Supervisors approved responses to five of the 2010-2011 Ventura County Grand Jury Reports. The reports were:

1. Bullying in the Workplace
2. Inmate Processing and Suicide Prevention in the Ventura County Jail
3. Emergency Communications Interoperability
4. Election Process
5. Under-Enrollment in Proposition 36

The Grand Jury is a body of citizens mandated by the California State Constitution, and various laws, to serve as a voice of the people and a conscience of the community.
The 2011-2012 Grand Jury that was impaneled on July 1, 2011, by Judge Vincent J. O’Neill, Jr., has had to replace four jurors because of health issues and relocation out of the County.

The current members of the 2011-2012 Grand Jury are:

David Gale (Foreman) Camarillo
Gail Bianchino Westlake Village
Martin Bolger Newbury Park
Eva Cisneros Camarillo
Ronald Cameron Camarillo
James Delgado Camarillo
Donna Gaier Oxnard
Walter Gause Thousand Oaks
Lidia Harrison Ventura
Richard Hawley Thousand Oaks
Donald Hunt Simi Valley
Bud Locker Camarillo
Henry Norton Oak View
Joyce Overbaugh Oak View
Benjamin Saiz Santa Paula
Michael Templin Oak View
Steven Weiss Simi Valley
Jay Whitney Westlake Village
Martin Young Ojai

Go to the Grand Jury website to review the entire report and responses: http://grandjury.countyofventura.org

UPDATE:
There has been a change to the distribution of the Brown Bag Program and the USDA Commodities Program. The programs will both be administered at the Fillmore Police Storefront located at 642 Lemon Way, Fillmore. This change has been difficult for some seniors to obtain their much needed food. .There have been arrangements made with the Vista Bus to pick up seniors at the bus stop located next to the senior center at 8:00AM, 9:00AM, and 10:00AM . The seniors will then be transported to the Fillmore Police Storefront free of charge. Once a senior receives their food they will be transported back to the senior center when the next bus arrives. The Vista Bus Service will commence on Wednesday October 5th, 2011 for the Brown Bag Program and on Wednesday October 12, 2011 for the USDA Commodities Program. The bus service will also be available for seniors who participate in the USDA Commodities Program. the next date scheduled for the USDA Commodities Program is October 12, 2011. The Vista Bus Service is free of charge to Senior Citizens and is being donated by Wm L Morris. Please tell your senior friends and family about this new service. Any questions please contact Max S. Pina at the Fillmore Police Storefront, (805)524-2982 Mrs Raelene Chaney at (805)407-5759.

WHAT: Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County and sponsors, St. Maximilian Kolbe’s “Habitat to the Max” Ministry, Houweling Nurseries Oxnard, Inc., and the County of Ventura teamed up to build two Habitat for Humanity homes in Piru, CA. These dedications mark the 53rd and 54th homes built since groundbreaking on the first new home in Ventura County in 1994. To-date, 24 Habitat homes have been built in Piru and all of the original homeowners still reside in their homes.

Through a donation of funds from the County, Habitat was able to acquire the parcel of land at 550 Temescal, which included an abandoned hotel. In partnership with more than 60 volunteers from the community, Habitat immediately improved the neighborhood through the demolition and removal of this structurally unsafe, debris-filled hotel.

WHEN: Sunday, September 25, 2011. The event will begin at 2:00 p.m. with introductions and opening remarks, followed by a formal house dedication and blessing, a tour of the new home, photos, and refreshments.

WHO: Participants will include Supervisor Kathy Long, Brian Beggs from Houweling Nurseries, St. Maximilian Habitat to the Max Ministry, Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors, staff, volunteers and friends of Habitat. The Habitat partner-family will be available for interviews.

WHERE: 550 Temescal Street, Piru, CA 93015. Directions: Take Highway 126 East to Piru. Turn left onto Main Street at the traffic light. Continue to the stop sign and turn right. Take the 2nd right onto Temescal and travel 1 block. Parking is on the street.

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. www.habitatventura.org.

Habitat to the Max Ministry
Habitat to the Max is one of the outreach ministries at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church in Westlake Village. The ministry’s mission is to sponsor affordable housing, working in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County, and to provide safe and decent housing for low-income families living in substandard housing. The first Habitat to the Max house was completed by volunteers in 2007, followed by a duplex dedicated in 2009. Both are in Oxnard. The ministry has just completed their fourth home in Piru and is currently raising funds for their sixth house, located on Stroube Street in Oxnard.

Build sponsors
(House Sponsors; donated and/or discounted goods and/or labor)
St. Maximilian Habitat to the Max Ministry, Houweling Nurseries Oxnard, Inc., County of Ventura (Major Sponsors); Alladin Air Conditioning, Geske’s Hauling Service, Gold Coast Erectors, L K Services, Inc.(In-Kind Sponsors)

After a successful trial run that helped push ridership to new heights, the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) is working to keep the free transfers coming. VCTC unanimously voted to extend its free transfer program between Ventura Intercity Service Transit Authority (VISTA) lines at last Friday’s Commission meeting, while also requesting continued participation from other bus services countywide. The nine-month pilot project introduced earlier this year has translated to increased ridership for VCTC’s popular VISTA bus service as well as robust usage on all participating transit operators.

“The bus is a key and vital component of a sustainable local transportation system for Ventura County,” noted Cameron Yee, spokesman for the Ventura County Bus Riders Union. “Therefore, we strongly support this recommendation.”

The countywide bus transfer program allows local transit riders to pay a single fare at the time of initial boarding, and to make a single transfer onto a second bus in order to complete their trip. The free transfer is issued at time of fare payment and is valid in a single direction and for a specified time period. Operators participating in the trial program include Camarillo Area Transit, Gold Coast Transit, Moorpark City Transit, Oxnard Harbors and Beaches Dial-A-Ride, Simi Valley Transit, and Thousand Oaks Transit, as well as Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District.

While ridership growth varied by individual operator, VISTA ridership skyrocketed more than 12 percent in May and more than 21 percent in June. In fact, VISTA, which marked its seventeenth anniversary this year, exceeded the one million-rider mark.

More information about VCTC and VISTA bus can be found by visiting www.goventura.org or by calling (800) 438-1112.

On Tuesday September 27th the Fillmore Ebell Club will begin their 97th year of programming, fellowship and delicious lunches. This month they will be featuring "The Gypsy Folk Ensemble " who will be celebrating Oktoberfest with traditional dance, costumes and culture. The ensemble is based in Los Angeles and was formed in 1978 to preserve, perform and teach traditional folk dances from around the world.

Our lunches are catered by Dustin Andersen of the Double A Cafe. To join us this month for a delicious lunch and a fun program for only $12.00 please call Lavonne Deeter @524-2090 or Glenda DeJarnette at 524-4949 by Friday September 23.

We are still accepting applications for membership to our fun organization for more information please call Melodie at 521-1400.

Join the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in celebrating National Wildlife Refuge Week (October 9-15, 2011), with a hike on Saturday, October 15. The guided nature hike is a rare opportunity to see California condors and other wildlife on the Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge, a refuge normally closed to public use.

Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is located along Cerro Noroeste Road, between the towns of Maricopa and Frazier Park. The hike will be from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Space is limited, so interested parties should e-mail michael_woodbridge@fws.gov to reserve a spot and receive further information, including detailed directions.

The Refuge belongs to a nationwide network of federal lands–the National Wildlife Refuge System–dedicated to the protection of wildlife habitat and wildlife species. The nation’s 553 national wildlife refuges and 38 Wetland Management Districts not only protect the nation’s natural resources, but also offer a range of wildlife-dependent recreation.

National wildlife refuges play a critical role in preserving America’s rich wildlife legacy. Without the important conservation work taking place on national wildlife refuges, the country would lose many species of plants and animals that help clean the air, filter the water, pollinate crops and help people understand their place in the natural world.

National Wildlife Refuges across the country will be holding events for National Wildlife Refuge Week. If you are traveling during Refuge Week, you can find an event near your destination by going to the Refuge System events calendar online: http://www.fws.gov/refuges/SpecialEvents/FWS_SpecialEvents_Search.cfm

Each year, more than 44 million Americans discover the wonders of nature by visiting a wildlife refuge. There is at least one wildlife refuge in every state and one within an hour’s drive of most major cities. For more information about national wildlife refuges, to go: www.fws.gov/refuges.

More information about the California Condor Recovery Program is available by contacting the Hopper Mountain NWR Complex, at (805) 644-5185 or visiting the Refuge Complex website at: www.fws.gov/hoppermountain.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov/cno. Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfwspacificsouthwest, follow our tweets at twitter.com/USFWSPacSWest, watch our YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at www.flickr.com/photos/usfws_pacificsw/

“Humans seem to be having more encounters with bats this year than at any time in recent memory,” said Kim Kandarian, Communicable Diseases nurse for Ventura County Public Health. “A day doesn’t go by when I don’t get a call.”

Aside from an increase in phone calls, there is no objective way to confirm an increase in Ventura County’s bat population. With the rainy season we just experienced, there appear to be more insects around which would tend to increase the bat population. Bats live throughout Ventura County. Many of our residents have never seen one. Those that have are most likely to have seen a colony of bats flying around the sky just as the sun sets.

Bats are a major predator of night-flying insects, including pests that cost farmers billions of dollars annually. They eat insects by the hundreds, consuming about half their body weight in bugs each day. Studies of bats have contributed to medical advances, including the development of navigational aids for the blind. Unfortunately, many species are now endangered. Other than their appearance, which some find frightening, there is very little one can find wrong with a bat.

What most humans do not ever get to see is a bat up close and personal. There’s a reason for this: what sane bat goes out in the daytime or enters a person’s home or flops down on a side walk in front of a human? Avoiding humans is one of the ways that bats survive.

So when you do run into a bat during the course of your everyday life, there’s a pretty good chance there’s something wrong with that bat. And one of the chief things that cause a bat to behave abnormally is rabies.
Unlike humans, it’s not clear whether all bats that get the rabies virus are destined to die. Scientists know that about 1% of the bats in a normal, healthy bat colony do have rabies. But it’s still not known if some bats can remain alive as healthy rabies carriers. We do know, however, that many bats that become infected with the rabies virus get sick and die. And during their illness they often behave abnormally. They fly through people’s homes, dive bomb swimming pools and wind up on garbage can lids or in the mouths of rambunctious dogs.

Since encountering a bat up close in your daily life is not normal behavior for the bat, you should call Animal Services if you do. Experience tells us that bats that you stumble across have about a 10% chance of being rabid. Do not handle the bat. If you wish to both detain the bat and keep it away from curious children, pets and yes, even other adult humans, cover it with something like a waste paper basket. Animal Services can be reached at 388-4341. If a bat bites someone, or is handled by a person or a pet, or if you come across one that is unable to fly, or if you awaken from a sleep and find a bat in your bedroom, do your best to contain the bat (such as by closing the bedroom door) and call Animal Services. The bat will be turned over to the Ventura County Public Health Laboratory and studied for rabies. If the bat tests positive, it will mean that a doctor is going to need to make the decision whether the person who handled the bat or awakened to find it in their room will need to receive the rabies vaccine. The rabies vaccine consists of a series of 5 shots given over 1 month as well as another shot called rabies immune globulin (RIG). Tens of thousands of people are successfully vaccinated each year after being bitten by an animal that may have rabies. However, a few people die of rabies each year in the United States, usually because they do not recognize the risk of rabies from the bite of a wild animal and do not seek medical advice. Any wild mammal, like a raccoon, skunk, fox, or bat, can have rabies and transmit it to people.

People who have been bitten by a bat while sleeping or inebriated won’t know that they’ve been bitten, and the bite of a bat may leave no marks whatsoever.

The time between a person’s exposure to a rabid animal and the development of symptoms can be anywhere from days to years, though usually it is 4 to 6 weeks. Usual symptoms include anxiety or fear, difficulty swallowing and seizures. Once symptoms develop, death is almost inevitable.

Because there is no guarantee that a rabid bat will behave any differently than a normal one, it is best never to handle any bat.

Ventura County residents can also protect themselves by making sure that their pets are up to date on their rabies vaccine.

Some bats live in buildings. There may be no reason to exclude them if they will not come into contact with people. However, bats should always be prevented from entering rooms of your home. To learn how to “bat-proof” your home, call an animal-control or wildlife conservation agency. It’s not that difficult to “bat-proof” your home yourself. Examine your home for holes that might allow bats to enter into your living quarters. Any openings larger than a quarter-inch by a half-inch should be caulked. Use window screens, chimney caps, and draft guards beneath doors to attics, fill electrical and plumbing holes with steel wool or caulking, and ensure that all doors to the outside close tightly. Additional “bat-proofing” can prevent bats from roosting in attics or buildings by covering outside entry points. Observe where the bats exit at dusk and exclude them by loosely hanging clear plastic sheeting or bird netting over these areas. Bats can crawl out and leave, but won’t be able to reenter. After the bats have been excluded, the openings can be permanently sealed. During summer, many young bats are unable to fly. If you exclude adult bats during this time, the young may be trapped inside. Thus, if possible, avoid exclusion from May through August. Most bats leave in the fall or winter to hibernate, so these are the best times to “bat-proof” your home.

VENTURA, CA - The Board of Directors, Staff and Volunteers of the Ventura Family YMCA and Barristers of the Ventura County Bar Association invites members of the community to participate in the 3rd Annual “TAKE it to the COURT” 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament on October 8, 2011. Proceeds from the event funds the YMCA's Open Doors Program which provides scholarships to individuals and families in need.

The basketball tournament will take place at Ventura College and will start at 8 a.m. The event will include a full day of tournaments, music and food. The “Take it to the Court” Basketball Tournament is a great way to come together to strengthen our community while spending a fun, active day playing and watching some exciting basketball games.

The tournament will include a men’s open, boy‘s high school and girl’s high school division, which are all open to the public. Team registrations are being accepted until October 3rd. Registration to enter the tournament and additional information can be found online at www.ciymca.org/ventura or at the Ventura Family YMCA Welcome Center. Each participating team will receive three complimentary Ventura Family YMCA Basketball Tournament t-shirts. The grand prize for each participant of the winning teams will be a free three month membership to the Ventura Family YMCA.

The Ventura Family YMCA would also like to thank their event sponsors; Rabobank, Chumash Indians Foundation, ZestNet, Inc. and Ferguson, Case, Orr, Patterson for their ongoing support and dedication the YMCA.

“We are very excited to host the tournament again this year and appreciate the support of the local business community, individuals and especially the partnership we have formed with the Barristers organization. It’s a great day of basketball for all levels of players and a fun way to give back to the community,” said Margo Byrne, Executive Director at the Ventura Family YMCA. The “Take it to the Court” Basketball Tournament is one of two yearly fundraisers that the Ventura Family YMCA holds. The funds from the event ensure that the YMCA can continue the Open Doors scholarship program. The Open Doors program which provides scholarships to individuals, children and families in need and allows everyone to have the opportunity to participate in YMCA programs such as youth sports, child care, wellness classes and more. If you would like more information about the basketball tournament please contact Amy Bailey-Jurewicz at Amy.Bailey@ciymca.org or about the Ventura Family YMCA please call 805-642-2131 or visit www.ciymca.org/ventura.

About the Ventura Family Y
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. log on to www.ciymca.org/ventura.

Ventura, CA - Community Memorial Health System broke ground Wednesday, September 14th, for the new Community Memorial Hospital. The celebration drew about 500 community members, including CMHS medical staff and employees as well as city and county dignitaries.

“This is the single most important thing to happen in my two years as mayor,” Ventura Mayor Bill Fulton told the crowd, adding the new hospital also will boost the city’s economy and turn midtown into a “second downtown.”

“Your children and grandchildren will look on this day as the greatest day in the history of Ventura,” Fulton said.

The six-story, 325,000-square-foot hospital will be built next to the current hospital at 147 N. Brent St, and is scheduled to open in 2015. It will have 250 private rooms, comfortable space for families and a healing garden on the grounds.

The new CMH, which meets seismic demands, also will have a larger Emergency Room and greater imaging capability than the present hospital. It also will have additional Heart Catheterization labs, expanded Intensive Care and Cardiac Care Recovery Units, and a larger Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The hospital’s 10 surgical theaters will have leading-edge medical technology.

“We will provide state-of-the-art care in a facility that is truly state-of-the-art,” said Gary Wilde, President and CEO of CMHS.

The new hospital will meet the needs of the community for the next 50 years, Wilde said, and will feature environmentally friendly “green” components such as triple-paneled glass windows that will reduce heating and air-conditioning costs.

The current 242-bed hospital was built in 1962. Previous hospitals in the 110-year history of Community Memorial Health System were the Elizabeth Bard Memorial Hospital, built in 1901, and Foster Memorial Hospital, built in 1930.

Wilde thanked the Ventura City Council and City Manager Rick Cole for partnering with CMHS on the project that is being financed through $350 million in tax-exempt bonds. “We could not have had a more supportive city,” Wilde said.

The ground-breaking ceremony also featured 14 speakers representing different segments of the Ventura community – “stakeholders, not stockholders” as Wilde described them – including former Ventura County District Attorney Michael Bradbury, a member of the CMHS Board of Trustees for 15 years and chairman of the CMHS Campaign to build a new hospital.

“I’m here because Community Memorial Hospital saved my life,” said Bradbury, sharing with the audience the day that his heart stopped beating during a routine medical procedure.

Joseph and Lynn Bova, parents of CMH’s first quintuplets born in 2001, represented the families of children cared for in the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Although the family no longer will be requiring the services of CMH’s Maternity Department and NICU, Lynn Bova joked, “With six active children I’m sure we’ll be spending time in the new Emergency Room.”

Dr. Doug Woodburn, chairman of the CMH Physician Campaign representing active and retired physicians with CMHS, said members of the medical staff look forward to practicing medicine, “in an environment that will allow us to work together to offer the best quality of care.”

Dr. Woodburn added that the new hospital, “will attract and recruit future generations of physicians to care for your children and your grandchildren.”

Community Memorial Health System is a not-for-profit health system, which is comprised of Community Memorial Hospital, Ojai Valley Community Hospital, and 10 family-practice health centers entitled Centers for Family Health. The health system is located in Ventura County, California.

A special Diabetes presentation, “Separating Fact From Fiction”, will be held October 5th, @ 6:00 pm at Alma Via of Camarillo, 2500 Ponderosa North, Camarillo.

Presented by Linda Hampson, RN Diabetes Nurse Specialist from Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association, this free presentation will focus on Type 2 Diabetes. Individuals with pre-diabetes, recent onset diabetes, a family history of diabetes, or anyone who is interested in a better understanding will benefit from attendance. Complimentary refreshments and a raffle! RSVP to: Alma Via by October 3, to Amanda or Caitlyn @ (805) 388-5277. For more information contact: Barrie @ (805) 797-7699.

The Vision 20/20 committee pick a beauty this month. Congratulations to Peggy Alsup, and Gary Mourett of 1011 Ortega Street in Fillmore, for winning September Yard of the Month. The residence is on the corner of Burson, and Ortega. Their yard was picked for the care and work they put into it. The house is lined with Rose Trees of different colors, and Rose sizes. Also in the front yard are two beautiful White Birch Trees and a couple of Palm trees. On the side yard you will see a couple of citrus trees, and a nicely shaped cactus. There is a story behind all their planting. A very good friend of Gary’s, by the name of Derek DeJarnette gave him the Lemon tree years ago. For the longest time it barely grew, and gave one or two Lemons yearly. Sadly, his friend Derek past away many years ago and Gary said that after he past, the Lemon Tree just flourished, and now its just big, and beautiful, and gives fruit yearly, much to the delight of both Gary, and Peggy.

Terrie Metzler accepting a donation of toys by Milan Boyanich of A Street Self-Storage. The toys destined for the Shriner's Hospital for Children, Los Angeles.
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A treasure trove of dolls, stuffed animals, children's books, games, action figures, blankets and lots of baby toys were donated to the Shriner's Hospital for Children by Milan Boyanich of A Street Self-Storage located in Fillmore. The donation was made through Terrie Metzler and the Jamil Court of Oxnard, of The Ladies' Oriental Shrines of North America.

Gratefully accepting the donation Metzler said: “The children will greatly enjoy all the new toys we will be taking them.

The Shriners Hospital for Children, Los Angeles, delivers the highest quality of care to children with a host of orthopedic and neuromusculoskeletal disorders and diseases, as well as cleft lip and palate.

Ventura, CA - Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, characterized by abnormal pauses in breathing or instances of abnormally low breathing during sleep, will be the focus of a free seminar Community Memorial Health System is holding on Tuesday, Oct. 4.

Dr. James Jacobs, a Ventura oral and maxillofacial surgeon, will lead the seminar that will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. in Community Memorial Hospital’s eighth-floor Nichols Auditorium.

Dr. Jacobs will discuss the diagnosis and causes of sleep apnea, a disorder affecting up to 18 million people in the U.S. that can lead to high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, heart attack, stroke and excessive daytime sleepiness. Dr. Jacobs also will cover available treatment options, the risks and benefits of non-surgical and surgical techniques as well as the benefits and outcomes of maxillomandibular advancement.

Dr. Jacobs is a member of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and an active member of the Community Memorial Hospital medical staff. He received his doctor of dental surgery from the University of Washington and his oral and maxillofacial surgery training at Ohio State University.

Admission is free, but space is limited, and reservations are required. Call (805) 652-5436, or visit www.cmhshealth.org/rsvp. Community Memorial Hospital is located at 147 N. Brent St. in Ventura.

Community Memorial Health System is a not-for-profit health system, which is comprised of Community Memorial Hospital, Ojai Valley Community Hospital, and 10 family-practice health centers entitled Centers for Family Health. The health system is located in Ventura County, California.