Community Memorial Health System is offering free season flu shots to qualifying persons at its nine Centers for Family Health offices this fall as well as holding a low-cost flu vaccination clinic at Ojai Valley Community Hospital on Saturday, Oct. 23.

The free vaccinations, co-sponsored by the Ventura County Public Health Department, are for the seasonal flu and will incorporate the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccination. The vaccinations are available to those most vulnerable to catching the flu. They include:

 People over 60 years old (Ojai’s clinic is for adults over 18);
 People with chronic medical conditions;
 Pregnant women;
 Healthcare personnel who provide direct patient care;
 Children 6 months to 5 years old (need two visit);
 Caregivers of children under 6 months old.

At the Centers for Family Health offices located throughout western Ventura County, no appointments are necessary for the flu clinic. For questions call 805/585-3090. Dates, times and locations for the free flu shots are on the following Saturdays:

 Oct. 2 – 120 N. Ashwood Ave., Ventura
 Oct. 9 – 138 W. Main St. #E, Ventura, and 2921 S. Saviers Rd., Oxnard
 Oct. 16 – 655 N. Ventura Ave., Oak View
 Nov. 6 – 422-A & B Arneill Rd., Camarillo
 Nov. 20 – 3641 W. 5th St., Oxnard
 Dec. 4 – 2361 E. Vineyard Ave., Oxnard

At Ojai Valley Community Hospital no appointment is necessary for the flu clinic for adults 18 years and older. The clinic will be held on Saturday, Oct. 23, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $2 per person but free to Medicare B beneficiaries. OVCH is located at 1306 Maricopa Highway. Call 805/646-1401 for more information.

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.

This weeks Alumni article features the 1977 Varsity Flashes Football team. The Flashes Football season that year began with a little apprehension because nine offensive and six defensive starters needed to be found to replace graduating Seniors from the 1976 Championship squad. Forty seven prospects turned out in September and with determination found themselves winning the Tri-Valley League Championship (5-0), the second straight year, and Fillmore's fifth invitation to the C.I.F. playoffs in the past eight years. Many records were established by the 1977 squad. Among them, the lowest number of points allowed per season to opponents (50). The previous record of (54) was set by the 1972 squad. Another milestone was reached by the 1977 Flashes with back-to-back football championships, a feat not achieved in Fillmore for 45 years dating back to 1932. Fillmore played a tough game that year against their Arch Rivals, Santa Paula but prevailed in a 6-0 win. In celebrating the 100th match up this year with the Santa Paula Cardinals, 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! GO FLASHES!!!

On October 5th at Santa Paula High School, the Fillmore FFA Chapter will be competing in the Opening/Closing Sectional Competition. Camarillo, Carpinteria, Ventura, Santa Paula and Fillmore High Schools make up the five chapters in the Ventura Section. Each chapter will have several teams competing. The competition will evaluate each teams ability to open and close a formal FFA meeting. Our officer team as well as two other Fillmore High School teams have been practicing the last several weeks working hard to do well at the competition. Good luck to all teams next week!

On a very sad note, Talula, Alexus Galassi-Duncan’s breeding heifer, miscarried her bull calf last week. This was devastating news for Alexus who was planning on keeping the calf for her 2012 SAE beef project. As soon as Talula is ready, Alexus will be returning her to Mr. Bob Powers Lockwood Valley Ranch to be bred again. Some happier news from the school farm, is that we have three new editions. Alexus Galassi-Duncan and Brittany Gurrola have purchased their SAE steer projects for the 2011 Ventura County Fair. Both calves are Angus Maine and are about 5 months old. They will also both be eligible to compete in the Bred and Fed competition at fair. Brittany Gurrola also purchased and brought home a heifer, from Five R Ranch, for her SAE breeding project. Brittany says, Millie, a two year old Shorthorn, is “really sweet and calm but needs some encouragement to walk while on a halter”. Brittany bought her as a Bred heifer, but will have a formal pregnancy test this week at the vets office to confirm the pregnancy. Brittany is hoping to be able to sell the calf to a fellow FFA or 4-H member to be shown at the Ventura County Fair in 2012.

Brooke Aguirre is the Fillmore FFA Chapter Reporter

Catch this new, creative program at the Fillmore Library, on October 5, 2010 at 6 PM. Author and costume designer, Holly Cleeland will share her creative know-how in making low-cost, prizewinning costumes. With scissors and glue gun, she will create three costumes that will be given away to lucky members of the audience.

Don't miss this great opportunity to learn how to create your own children's Halloween costumes from materials you have at home!

The program is made possible through the generous support of the Fillmore Friends of the Library. The Library is located at 502 Second Street, Fillmore.

You and your guests are invited to attend our ANNUAL TASTE OF ITALY Saturday, October 16, 2010 at the historic, 100 year old Glen Tavern Inn, 134 North Mill Street, Santa Paula, 6:30 P.M. to 7: P.M. Socialize in the Inn's elegant lobby (cash bar), 7:00 P.M. Dinner served in the Banquet Room, prepared by Chef Enzo of Enzo's Italian Restaurant. Buffet service includes: Mista Salad and Garlic Bread Choice of: Cappellini Primavera or Penne Puttanesca Chicken Picatta, Roasted Vegetables, 2 complimentary bottles of Cabernet per table of 8 with dinner, Tiramisu, Coffee, Tea, Soft Drinks, surprise entertainment. The cost for this event is $22 per person. Lion members will be billed and are financially responsible for their guests. Please make your reservations before October 2, 2010 by calling Paul Schifanelli at 524-0858 or e-mail to joyce@dmcreative.info (phone messages and e-mails will be confirmed with a return call). Cancellations cannot be accepted after October 5, 2010. Upscale Casual Dress Required.

Did you know dog licenses are required by law? Many dog owners do not realize that state and local laws require all dogs over 4 months to be licensed and wearing the license tag.

During the next three weeks County Animal Services will have an amnesty period in which all late fee penalties are waived for dog owners who renew a dog license. Dog owners with unlicensed dogs are encouraged to purchase new dog licenses to avoid penalties and to come into compliance with the license law.

Starting the week of October 18, 2010, Santa Barbara County Animal Services will begin canvassing door-to-door for dog licenses to increase compliance with mandatory dog licensing laws. Door-to-door canvassing by Animal Control Officers will start in the City of Santa Maria and surrounding areas. The goal of the canvassing program is to increase the number of dogs currently rabies vaccinated and ensure that all dogs residing in the County are currently licensed as required by law.

Please be aware that a rabies tag is not a dog license. Dog licenses are issued by County Animal Services. Where can you purchase a County Animal License?

• In person at one of the three county animal shelters
• Online through www.sbcphd.org/as
• Download application form from website and mail to shelter
• Check with your veterinarian to see if licenses are sold at their hospital
• Contact City Animal Control if you live in the Cities of Carpinteria or Santa Barbara.

A license tells everyone your pet has an owner and is not a homeless stray. Animal Services can quickly reunite a lost animal with its family when the animal is wearing a license. A license requires a rabies vaccination which protects people and pets from contracting this terrible disease. Licensing fees support the care and adoption of homeless and abandoned animals in the animal shelters.

What’s on Your Dog’s Collar? Show you care. License your dog. It’s the law.

October is “Adopt a Shelter Dog” Month. With nearly 10 million animals entering local shelters across the country each year, Adopt a Shelter Dog Month helps focus attention on the pet population problem we face in this country.

Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) suggests that people who are looking for "Man's Best Friend" check out the dogs which are currently being housed locally at the Camarillo Shelter, located at 600 Aviation Drive (in the airport complex). On any given day, the Camarillo Shelter cares for over 175 dogs, in addition to numerous cats, bunnies, horses and other critters.

Dogs end up at a shelter through no fault of their own. In a recent study conducted by the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy, researchers surveyed people turning animals in to 12 various shelters around the country. The study, which can be seen at The American Society for the Prevention to Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)'s Web site (http://www.aspca.org), reviewed reasons why people gave up their dogs up for adoption, and found the following frequency of answers:
 29 percent surrendered their dogs due to behavior problems
 29 percent surrendered their dogs because of the family's housing situation
 25 percent surrendered their dogs citing incompatibility with the family's lifestyle
 15 percent surrendering their dogs due to the family's preparation and/or expectations.
At the Camarillo shelter, 17% of the dogs in 2009 were owner surrenders. The largest percentage, however, were strays. Seventy percent were loose dogs that were picked up with no license or visible owner information. Less than 25% of those strays were reclaimed by their owners. Responsible pet ownership requires more than simply agreeing to take an animal into your life when it’s convenient. It means being ready to make a life long commitment that will enhance the lives of both the human and the animal.

Shelter dogs are CONTINUED »

In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Community Memorial Health System is offering low-cost early breast cancer detection services to women who schedule a screening mammogram during October through the Breast Center at Community Memorial Hospital and Ojai Valley Community Hospital.

For $55 patients receive a digital screening mammogram in addition to potential access to the most technologically advanced medical care, including the following:

 Magnetic Resonance Imaging-guided biopsy
 Dedicated breast ultrasound
 Bone densitometry
 Fellowship-trained female radiologists
 Breast Cancer education
 Cancer-related information, education and support
 Minimally invasive diagnostic procedures, including ultrasound-guided biopsy, computer-assisted stereotactic core biopsy and needle localization biopsy.

Also for women who qualify, complimentary early breast cancer detection and surgical intervention services are available for uninsured or underinsured women.

Call Community Memorial Hospital at (805) 652-5093 or Ojai Valley Community Hospital at (805) 640-2250 for more information.

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.

Ventura, CA - Shopping for school supplies is usually not an easy task, especially for families who can’t afford to buy these materials. Each fall, the Rotary Club of Ventura, in conjunction with the Downtown Ventura Lions Club, provides backpacks for kids who otherwise would not have supplies for school. This year, the Rotary Club gave new backpacks and school supplies to 510 deserving children in the Ventura Unified School District. Each backpack was filled with paper, folders, pencils, crayons, markers, calculators, glue sticks, and much more!

“Providing new backpacks filled with supplies is a great way to welcome in the new school year,” said Rotarian Ellyn Dembowski, who chairs the Backpack Program. The program put a smile on every student who received a new backpack, and the parents are grateful knowing they have a bit more money to provide for the basic necessities.

The backpack project is made possible year after year through the generous donations of supplies and money collected by Rotarians, as well as funds from the club’s Julius Gius Foundation. These gifts are a visible reminder that we live in a community that cares for our families in need.

The Rotary Club of Ventura also provides dictionaries to local schools, scholarships, coats for children in need, a children’s holiday event, and many other local and international programs.

Morris Eagle, Ph.D., Clinical Supervisor and Distinguished Educator in Residence at CLU

THOUSAND OAKS, CA. - California Lutheran University and Verizon are presenting a breakfast and panel discussion on domestic violence from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 8, in CLU’s Lundring Events Center.

The free event is being held in observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month and will highlight the launch of a CLU program for domestic violence survivors.

The panelists are the following: Catherine Dougan, director of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Victims’ Assistance Program; Morris Eagle, Ph.D., a clinical supervisor and Distinguished Educator in Residence at CLU; Caroline Prijatel Sutton, executive director of The Coalition to End Family Violence; Rick Vasquez, a senior detective on the Oxnard Police Department’s Domestic Violence Investigation Team; and Anthony Wold, a supervising prosecutor in the District Attorney’s Office. Mindy Puopolo, Psy.D., director of CLU’s Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Program, will moderate.

The panelists will discuss the challenges to preventing domestic violence in the local community and possible solutions, including CLU’s new program. Funded in part by a $200,000 grant from the Verizon Foundation, the Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Program began in September at CLU’s Community Counseling Centers in Oxnard and Thousand Oaks. Existing programs already provide shelter and crisis services so CLU’s goal was to provide long-term help to break the cycle of violence. Whereas counseling programs typically focus on perpetrators with limited success, this 20-week program was designed to give survivors tools for defusing volatile situations and protecting themselves. A licensed clinician and graduate student lead group meetings and students work as liaisons with the legal system to advocate for the survivors. The survivors and their children also receive free individual counseling as needed.

An overview of “Telling Amy’s Story,” a PBS documentary following the timeline of a domestic violence homicide, will be shown. State Sen. Tony Strickland will give the introduction.

Intimate partner violence is the leading cause of injury and death to American women. Studies estimate that 25 percent of women have been raped or physically assaulted by their current or former spouse, cohabitating partner or date at some time in their lives. Survivors return to their partners an average of seven times.

Lundring Events Center is located in the Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center north of Olsen Road near Campus Drive in Thousand Oaks.

Reservations are required. RSVP by Sept. 30 to Jenna Knauss at jknauss@callutheran.edu or (805) 493-3390. Guests are encouraged to bring old wireless phones and accessories to donate to Verizon’s HopeLine program that supports domestic violence prevention agencies.

The Fillmore High School Athletic Booster Club has begun taking orders for T-Shirts for the 100th Game between Santa Paula and Fillmore. FHS Alumni Shirts, Football Jersey’s with Players Names & Numbers as well as the Historical Rivalry T-Shirts are available. If you would like to place an order, please call #805-524-8491 or email: lcole@fillmore.k12.ca.us. All orders & payments must be received by no later than October 27th.

Nick Johnson, Cartoonist.

Cartoonist Nick Johnson is pictured with the subject of his work, the famous Lulu. Nick started his “Adventures of Lulu” series in the Gazette about five months ago. Follow Lulu’s adventures in the Humor section of this website located here: http://www.fillmoregazette.com/humor

Annis Jane (Jones) Morris

The Isaac and Alice Jones family moved west around 1914 and settled in the Fillmore and Santa Paula area of California. Annis and her twin, Carlos, attended the Little Red Schoolhouse in their elementary years. This one-room school is still in use today, located half way between Fillmore and Santa Paula.

That area still known for Citrus growing, and now avocado as well, was at one time a great apricot producer. Mom remembers during some of those years being recognized as one of the fastest "pitters" on harvest team.
After marriage to Earl Morris in 1929 she became a homemaker from then to now. Earl eventually worked for Sunkist Citrus Association Packing House in Fillmore and then was a custodian and bus driver for many years for Fillmore Union School District until retirement.

Earl and Annis birthed five children. (4 in Fillmore, 1 in Santa Paula) Shirley, Sharon, James, Leonard, Dean. (Sharon is the only one pre-deceased). All grew up in Fillmore.

After the Northridge quake, which did extensive damage to Fillmore, Mom moved to West Covina wit-h her daughter Shirley Cannon for a few years. She is now a resident in Orange with Son, Leonard Morris, for almost 10 years. Leonard and Nevelyn have been Orange residents for forty years.

The children and grandkids will be attending the Oct. 9th celebration in Orange, coming from North and East: Oregon, Arkansas, Arizona, Missouri, Texas. Other extended family and friends from other cities, states and regions as well.

Plans include a Model "T" CONTINUED »

Learn to move on the dance floor! Beginning Ballroom and Latin Dance classes begin Tuesday October 5, 2010, Senior Center, 533 Santa Clara Street, Fillmore; Ballroom: 6:30-7:15, Latin: 7:30 - 8:15. Cost is $20.00 per person 4/week session, $30.00 per couple 4/week session. For more information please call: 805-276-9274.

Members of Fillmore Soroptimist will be selling See's Candy from now until November 5th. Please support our local women's service group by purchasing some delicious See's Candy for Thanksgiving and Holiday gifts! Items being sold include favorites like: Truffles, Assorted Chocolate, Milk or Dark Chocolate, Nuts & Chews Toffee-ettes, Peanut Brittle, Assorted Molasses Chips, Assorted Peppermints, Assorted Gourmet Lollypops, Santa Bear Box, Mini Holiday Fancy Box and gift certificates!

Stop by the following local businesses to place your order: Terri at Aguirre Financial & Insurance Services (606 Sespe Ave. #105), Yolanda at Antiques and Other Collectibles (352 Fillmore St), Kathy at Fillmore Mail Stop (330 Central Ave.) and Sandi at Sandi Ward's Crafts & Things (435-D Santa Clara-in the train car). For more information please contact Kathy Vargas at 805.524.7835.