Last week found FFA members busy as usual. It started Tuesday with the Opening Closing Competition that was held at Santa Paula High School. The competition is really a Career Development Event or CDE for short. CDE’s help prepare students for the job market by teaching them to think critically, communicate clearly, and to perform effectively. In FFA, there are 24 different CDE’s that cover various job skills. CDE’s are held at the local, state and national levels. Members can participate in CDE’s that cover everything from floriculture to job interviewing. Students compete in some events as individuals and others as part of a team. The objective of the FFA Opening and Closing Ceremony CDE is to develop public speaking skills and promote the proper use of the official opening and closing ceremony. Fillmore FFA members competed against teams from Santa Paula, Ventura, Carpentaria and Camarillo. Fillmore FFA’s officer team placed 3rd and Jennifer Martin, ’13, was awarded Outstanding Vice President for her individual performance.

Saturday the Officer team traveled north to Hollister to attend the Chapter Officer Leadership Conference. The conference is designed to teach team building and individual officer position responsibilities. The team enjoyed the activities that taught us problem solving and communication skills. The team returned home Sunday evening exhausted but excited to put into action the leadership skills they had learned at the conference.

Brooke Aguirre is the Fillmore FFA Chapter Reporter

The Fillmore Lions Club has announced that this year's Student Speaker Contest will be held on Monday, February 7 2011. The topic will be "Enforcing our Borders: State verses Federal Rights". The topic is very timely and is important to all of Fillmore"s students and citizens. This controversial topic affects all of us and has very much been in the news. Arizona's clash with the Federal Government over its new law it enacted just last year is just one example of this topic which began at our nation's founding.

Chair Bill Edmonds states that the total prize money will be over $21,000 in college scholarships and 'cash. The local Fillmore winner gets $75 and advances to the next round. Runner ups get $25. The winner goes on to compete with the winners of other local Lion's clubs. All high school age youth who live within the Fillmore Unified School District boundaries are eligible to compete. This includes home taught students as well as Fillmore residents who attend other high schools as well. This also includes foreign exchange students.

Students who wish to enter may contact Bill Edmonds at 524-4839 or Josh Overton-the FHS drama and language arts teacher. Edmonds emphasized that his public speaking exercise will be very worthwhile to the students and interesting to their parents and to the community. Public speaking competition will also look very good on college applications and resumes. Students should get started early because it takes time to develop and practice a good speech.

We are welcoming Randy Rankin,a 25 year old Tenor who has been singing all of his life in church choirs and school choirs. He has a Bachelors in Music from the Masters College, and he has performed around the world and has toured the United State extensively. He recently performed at the Downey Civic Arts Center in Carousel. He will bring to us the heart warming and exciting Broadway music along with Love Classics that have become part of our lives.

Aubrey Garman is an equally talented Soprano, also a young women with education in voice performance from Point Loma Nazarene College, and College of the Canyons. She will make a beautiful match with Randy when they present this program, and they compliment each other with their talent and passion for music!

Our October date is Tuesday Oct. 26th 2010, at the Veterans Memorial Building.

Please call Trisha Armstrong at 805-727-1901, or Lavonne Deeter at 805-524-2090, for reservations. Lunch starting at 12:30 and Program $12.00,reservations by Fri. Oct.22nd please. Program at 2:00-2:45, $10.00, can be paid at the door. For membership to this Club, call Melodie at 805-521-1400.

The auxiliary exists to provide extra comfort and special attention to brighten the days of the residents living at the center. The auxiliary is a non-profit organization; all monies received go directly for the benefit of the residents. Funding for the Auxiliary comes from dues ($5.00 per year), donations and our annual Christmas Bazaar. This year's Bazaar will feature many new and beautiful items made by the Auxiliary members and friends. Many local merchants donate prizes to be raffled at the Christmas Bazaar, Saturday, December 4, 2010 at St. Francis Church Hall.

The activities of the Auxiliary include Bingo, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Monthly Birthday parties, members assist at both the Halloween and Christmas parties. Our monthly meetings are the 1st Thursday of the month at the Center. We also have pot luck lunches and a special Christmas Lunch. Some of the recent gifts to the Center by the Auxiliary include a fish tank, televisions, DVD and VCR players, portable radios, supplies for the cooking class, supplies for resident 's garden and small storage boxes for each resident.
We are always looking for new members, so if you are interested please call: Geri Lee 524-1591 of Sandy Miles 524-1065.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

We completed our city-wide sweep though Fillmore to address abandoned cars, trailers and R.V's. Quality of life is important to all of us. We encourage residents to report abandoned vehicles and trailers that are parked on their street without movement for three or more days.

Our Results: Total numbers for the Car, RV/trailer/abandoned vehicle sweeps in the last thirty days.
Warnings - 106 (The owners complied after written warning)
Citations - 30
Towed - 4

Ventura, CA. - Cardiovascular disease, the No. 1 cause of death in women, will be the focus of a free seminar the Community Memorial Health System is holding on Tuesday, Oct. 26.

Cardiologist Alon A. Steinberg, M.D., who has a special interest in preventive cardiology and cardiac imaging, will lead the “Women and Heart Disease” seminar that will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. in the eighth-floor Nichols Auditorium at Community Memorial Hospital, 147 Brent St. in Ventura.

Dr. Steinberg will present an overview of cardiovascular disease and how to recognize the disease as well as provide prevention strategies to combat it. He also will discuss important gender differences and biases in diagnosis and treatment of heart disease.

Dr. Steinberg received his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Jackson Memorial Hospital at the University of Miami in Florida and his fellowship in cardiology at the University of Florida Hospitals in Jacksonville. Dr. Steinberg has been in private practice for over 12 years and is board-certified in cardiovascular diseases, nuclear cardiology and cardiac computerized tomography.

Admission is free, but space is limited, so reservations are suggested. Call 652-5436, or visit www.cmhshealth.org.

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

SANTA CLARITA, CA. — Ensuring care packages arrive in time for the holiday season is a priority for friends and family members of military personnel serving around the world. To help get packages on their way, the U.S. Postal Service offers a discount on its largest Priority Mail Flat Rate Box.

The recommended mailing date for the most economical postage to overseas military destinations, including Iraq and Afghanistan, is Nov. 12.

Mail sent to overseas military addresses is charged only domestic mail prices. The domestic mail price for the Priority Mail Large Flat Rate Box is $14.50, but for packages to APO/FPO addresses overseas the price is reduced to $12.50. Additional discounts are available for customers printing their Priority Mail postage labels online at Click-N-Ship.

Environmentally friendly Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes are available at no cost at any Post Office, or can be ordered online at shop.usps.com. Postage, labels and customs forms can be printed online anytime using Click-N-Ship.

The Postal Service continues to show support to those serving in the armed forces by offering free Military Care Kits, designed specifically for military families sending packages overseas. The mailing kits can be ordered by phone by calling 1-800-610-8734 and asking for the Military Care Kit. Each kit includes two “America Supports You” large Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes, four medium-sized Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes, six Priority Mail labels, one roll of Priority Mail tape and six customs forms with envelopes.

For online ordering of the large Priority Mail APO/FPO Flat Rate boxes featuring the “America Supports You” logo and information about mailing letters and packages to military destinations, go to Supporting Our Troops.

“Shipping holiday packages early helps ensure that they arrive in time for the holidays," said Pranab Shah, vice president and managing director, Global Business. “They are a great morale boost for those men and women serving their country in places far from home.”

To ensure delivery of holiday cards and packages by Dec. 25 to military APO/FPO addresses overseas, the Postal Service recommends that mail for service members be sent no later than the mailing dates listed below. Mail addressed to military Post Offices overseas is subject to certain conditions or restrictions regarding content, preparation and handling. APO/FPO addresses generally require customs forms. To see an online table of updated APO and FPO addresses and mailing restrictions by individual APO/FPO ZIP Codes, click here, select “Pull-Out Information” and click on “Other Information.”

For the deadlines, click here: http://www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/2010/pr10_092.htm

Marie Wren serves up her special camp chili to the hungry crowd.
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Pictured is third grade teacher Scott Olson at the 100th Anniversary of Scouting Celebration held at the Scout House on September 28th. Over 100 people attended. Olson is a former Eagle Scout and now teaches at San Cayetano. Photo courtesy Scott Klittich.
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On Tuesday September 28, 2010, local Boy Scout Troop 406 hosted a Centennial Celebration of Scouting. Over 100 people attended the festivities at the Scout House on Sespe Avenue. The evening commenced with the raising of the flags and a prayer by Rev. Bob Hammond. A traditional scout meal was served of hotdogs, Marie Wren’s special chili, Fritos, potato salad, and fruit.

A slideshow of historic pictures was presented by Brett Chandler followed by pictures and reminiscence by former Scoutmaster Ralph Rees. Other scouting memories were shared, old scoutmasters introduced, and Eagle Scouts recognized.

During a dessert of s’mores, there was time to enjoy the tables full of scout memorabilia such as old handbooks, badges, and photos. The crowd met outside around the fire ring to observe a flag retirement ceremony narrated by Troop Guide Esteban Almazan. Even the Fire Department showed up briefly to observe the bonfire.
Thanks to everyone who helped make this 100th Celebration of Scouting a great success.

This week’s Alumni Article features the 2008 Flashes Football Team. The 2008 Varsity football program accomplished many things. Nathan Ibarra, Noah Aguirre, Jose Estrada, and Christian Prado all broke previous individual school records. Nathan passed for 1419 yards, Noah had 30 receptions for 521 yards, and Jose Estrada made 62 out of 65 PAT attempts. By the end of the post-season, Christian racked up a total of 181 tackles, making him third in the nation in that category. The whole offense broke: the rushing record with 3343 yards, the overall offensive yards with 4762, and the points scored record with 443 points. After finishing up second in the Frontier League, the football team advanced to the Semi-Finals in CIF playoffs, the second time in FHS history the football team has been able to go that far. The first round, Fillmore beat Desert High 48-37.

Brentwood was the second challenge, where they again won 21-14. Their final playoff game was against Twentynine Palms, and the final score was 21-27. This outstanding team came from humble beginnings - their J.V. record in 2005 was 0-10. The excellent coaching staff and a year’s experience brought a drastic turnaround to a perfect record of 9-0. They had a great year and made themselves part of F.H.S. History. In Celebrating the 100th match up this year with the Santa Paula Cardinals on November 12th in Fillmore, the F.H.S. Alumni Association is making a DVD Documentary of the series. A limited number of DVDs are being prepared, so please reserve your order today. You can reserve your order by calling the Alumni Office at 805-524-0416, or you can place your order at staff@fillmorehighalumni.com. Clearly leave your name and phone number and address, and someone will call you back to confirm your order. $20.00 (Picked up at Alumni Office) or $25.00 (mailed directly to you). You will be billed in October. The DVD will include actual game clips from different era’s, interviews, and stories. Talk about the perfect Christmas gift, or stocking stuffer! DVD will be available on November 12th, but call today before they run out! FIGHT ON FOR FILLMORE!!

The City of Fillmore Fire Department will be hosting a series of English and Spanish Community Emergency Response Team training classes beginning this October.

The training program provides for community self-sufficiency through the development of multifunction response teams who will act as an adjunct to the City’s emergency services during major disasters. Through this unique program, people from community organizations, business and industry, and city employee groups will become members of CERT, or perform as individual leaders by directing untrained volunteers in the initial phase of an emergency.

By encouraging preparedness efforts and hazard mitigation, the effects of a disaster can be minimized considerably, as well as facilitate recovery. The benefits of this program are numerous. It will increase our overall level of disaster readiness, provide emergency skills that people may use in day to day emergencies, enhance the bond between government and community, increase community spirit, and improve the quality of life for the people of our City.

The training is free of charge and is open to all Fillmore residents. For more information please visit the Fillmore Fire Department online at www.fillmorefire.com. To reserve a spot in the class please call the City of Fillmore Fire Department at 805-524-0586. English C.E.R.T. Class Spanish C.E.R.T. Class, Class Begins: Thursday Oct 21, 2010, 6:30pm-9:00pm, Fillmore Senior Center, 533 Santa Clara Avenue, Fillmore, Class will take place 7 consecutive Thursdays - Class Begins: Wednesday Oct 20, 2010, 6:30pm-9:00pm, Fillmore Fire, Station 91, 711 Sespe Place, Fillmore, Class will take place 7 consecutive Wednesdays.

The Fillmore Senior Class of 2011 is selling Marie Callender's Thanksgiving Pies for Grad Nite Live. They will be selling until Friday the 12th of November and then they will deliver them to you Tuesday afternoon the 23rd of November. If you will be picking your pies up they will be ready at 12 noon to 4pm in the main room at the Memorial Bldg. We are selling Apple, Pumpkin, Pecan, Razelberry and Lite Apple $11.00 each.

Parents please help your senior sell pies especially if they are in sports, work or other activities that occupies their spare time. Grad Nite Live makes $5.00 per pie so we need all the help in selling we can get.
Any questions or if you want to order a pie from me call 524-4909 or 407-5759. Mrs. Chaney.

On Tuesday November 30th, 2010 at 7pm the Ventura County Dept. of Animal Services and The Santa Paula Animal Clinic will host a low cost Rabies Vaccination clinic in Piru. The clinic will be held at the Fire Station at 513 N. Church St. Vaccination cost is $5.00 – CASH ONLY. Dog/Cat Licenses and Dog Spay/Neuter vouchers will be available. Licenses are$20.00 for spayed/neutered animals and $75.00 for unaltered animals. Checks/ cash accepted for licenses. The clinic will be offering additional vaccinations for $10.00. The vaccines include Canine DHLPP&Parvo, Canine Bordetella, and Feline FVRCP. A rattlesnake vaccine will also be available for $40.00. Available only while supplies last. CASH ONLY FOR ALL SHOTS. For more information call: Animal Services Licensing Dept. 388-4341

SANTA BARBARA, CA – October 4, 2010 – Pacific Capital Bancorp today announced that Lon Morton, CEO & Chief Investment Strategist of its subsidiary, Morton Capital Management (MCM), has been named by Barron’s as one of the Top 100 Independent Advisors in the United States.

The list of the top 100 was featured in the August 31, 2010, issue of Barron’s (“The Indie 100”). The ranking reflects the volume of assets overseen by the advisors and their teams, revenues generated for the firms and the quality of the advisors’ practices.

MCM, with $950 million in assets under management as of September 30, 2010, is a Calabasas, California-based registered investment advisor. The firm was acquired by Pacific Capital Bank, N.A., in July 2006, and operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank. MCM was founded in 1981 and provides planning and investment management solutions to individuals, families, foundations, retirement plans and select institutional clients.

“For almost 30 years, our strategy has been diversification through tactical asset allocation,” said Lon Morton, MCM founder. “We offer clients experienced and objective advice, providing them exposure to alternative asset classes to enhance the value we deliver and lower a portfolio’s correlation to the markets. Highly customized solutions utilize an open-architecture platform that includes individual asset management, fiduciary investment management, foundation/endowment management, fund of funds management, and alternative investments.”

“We are very CONTINUED »

Ventura County residents may be interested in a five-day, no-fee Job Search Workshop for unemployed professionals is offered by OPEN, a chapter of Experience Unlimited sponsored by EDD.

This workshop for white collar professionals covers resume writing, cover letters, interviewing, online job search and more.

The next workshop will be from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 25 through Friday, Oct. 29, at the Job and Career Center at 980 Enchanted Way Suite #105, Simi Valley, CA 93065-1998.

Please pre-register before the previous Friday, Oct. 22 at www.eu-open.org.

Quick Facts:
OPEN stands for Outstanding Professionals Employment Network
Any professional in Ventura County and surrounding areas is eligible. Previous workshops have drawn job-seekers from Monterey Park to Santa Barbara.
Also, professionals who want more information are invited to attend Friday, open-to-the-public meetings. These Friday gatherings from 9 to 11 a.m. provide an opportunity to network with other professionals and hear speakers or special job-hunt-related presentations. No fee. At 980 E. Enchanted Way, Simi Valley, at the County of Ventura’s Job and Career Center.
Current President is Sylvia Crew.