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Is it or isn’t it? Last Wednesday, after midnight just outside of Fillmore, Ysmael Enriquez’ German Shepherd “Lassie” was attacked by another animal, perhaps left over from Halloween. Enriquez acted quickly, killing the attacking animal with a machete. So has Fillmore been visited by the mystical Chupacabra or is it something less sinister. You decide.

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VENTURA, CA - On December 12th 2009, the Ventura Family YMCA will host its fourth annual “Breakfast with Santa” from 8 – 10 a.m. Admission to the event is FREE to YMCA members and community residents with a donation of an unwrapped toy or gift card which will be donated to the ACTION Foundation. The ACTION Foundation, a community based outreach group, will distribute the gifts collected to more than 900 local low income families.

“Breakfast with Santa” provides children and their parents the opportunity to enjoy a pancake breakfast and meet with Santa who will be available to listen to all of the children’s Christmas wishes and take pictures. Children will also have the opportunity to create a holiday craft to take home.

Each year the Ventura Family YMCA chooses a local not-for-profit to partner with and all of the toys that are donated are distributed to children and families in need. Past partners include Casa Pacifica, Kids to Kids, VCMC Children’s Oncology Unit and Kids and Families Together. This year, all toy donations will be distributed to ACTION Foundation families in need.

ACTION Foundation sponsors “The Community Christmas Shoppe” which brings together volunteers from over 40 area churches to serve local low incomes families by providing them with toys for Christmas. Each event has been a huge success over the last five years. ACTION Foundation is a California non-profit, facilitating service projects and outreach opportunities with churches and other agencies to reach those in need.

For more information about attending “Breakfast with Santa” please call The Ventura Family YMCA at (805) 642-2131 or visit www.ciymca.org/ventura

About the Ventura Family YMCA
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.

The Humane Society of Ventura County will hold its annual “Santa Paws” fund-raiser on Dec. 5 and Dec. 12, where pets – with their families – can have their pictures taken with Santa.

The photo shoots will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. both Saturdays at the HSVC’s Ojai shelter, 402 Bryant St. The cost is $20 for one 4 x 6 photo, but for an extra donation, families can have a compact disc containing all the digital photos taken of them. Photos and CDs will be ready to take home on the same day.

HSVC Executive Director Sherry Garberich-Brockus emphasizes that all family members are welcome to join in and be in the photo.

“Bring your pets, bring your kids, it’s a family event,” she said, adding that dogs must be on a leash and cats in a carrier. “In the past we have had dogs, cats, birds, pigs, even a horse! A good time will be had by all. Last year’s event was a great success. It’s a first come, first serve, so come early”.

Shelter Director Jolene Hoffman will be doing her best animal noises, and working with the kids and animals again this year to create the best possible photos.

“She is the best,” Garberich-Brockus said. “After 25 years of experience doing this event, it’s entertaining just to watch her.”

Proceeds go to the care of animals for the Humane Society in need throughout Ventura County.

For more information, call 646-6505 or 656-5031.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Unit Responsible: Thousand Oaks Police Department Crime Prevention Bureau

It is that time of year again when criminals will begin looking for opportunities to make their holiday season more enjoyable. Here are some tips to help you have a happier holiday.
Holiday Tips At Home
• Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave the house, even for a few minutes.
• When leaving home for an extended time, have a neighbor or family member watch your house and pick up your newspapers and mail.
• Indoor and outdoor lights should be on an automatic timer.
• Leave a radio or television on so the house looks and sounds occupied.
• Large displays of holiday gifts should not be visible through the windows and doors of your home.
• When setting up a Christmas tree or other holiday display, make sure doors and passageways are clear inside your home.
• Be sure your Christmas tree is mounted on a sturdy base so children, elderly persons or family pets cannot pull it over on themselves.
• If you use lights on your Christmas tree ensure the wiring is not damaged or frayed. Frayed or damaged wiring can cause a fire.
• Place your Christmas tree in water or CONTINUED »

Grandma Lou Hoover, Cafeteria Manager from Sespe School makes the best cinnamon rolls in town! Each year she donates her cinnamon rolls to be sold at the Fall Harvest festival at San Cayetano School and her booth proceeds go to a different local charity. This year the proceeds were divided between the local Ventura County Sherriff’s Dept. and the Fillmore Volunteer Fire Dept. for their annual Holiday Toy Drive. Each organization received a check for $215. Eric Iriee , Assistant Vice President of our local Wells Fargo works closely with Jan Marholin, event coordinator to acquire funding from the Wells Fargo Foundation who has sponsored the Harvest Festival for two years. The community event is a win-win for all.!

Hello-Ho-Ho Fillmore! Santa is on schedule to arrive in Fillmore in time for the Annual Fillmore Lions Club Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 5, 2009. The parade begins at 1:00 PM at the intersection of Second and Central and travels down Central to Santa Clara ending in front of Fillmore City Hall.
This year Santa has allowed time at the end of the parade for the boys and girls watching the parade to visit with him and have their parents take pictures with Santa for free. All Santa said is needed is for people to bring their own cameras to take the pictures. Look for Santa around Fillmore City Hall to have your picture taken.
Each year the Annual Fillmore Lions Club Christmas Parade is hosted by the Fillmore Lions Club in the honor of longtime Lions Club Member and life-long Fillmore/Piru citizen the late Henry “Hank” Carrillo who saved the parade when it was in danger of discontinuing without a sponsor.
There is still time to place an entry in the parade and all you need to do is to contact Dick Diaz at 524-5315, or 279-3599, or email dickdiaz@roadrunner.com.

Wedding Ring Quilt handmade by Lavonne Deeters, recently compoleted by Ruth Musgrove with the help of local quilters, has donated to the Fillmore Convelescent Center Auxiliary to be raffled off at their Christmas Bazaar. Saturday, December 5, 2009. at the Center. Now on display at “The Scented Path on Central Ave. Donations $1.00 each. Winner need not be present.

Vision 2020 Civic Pride Committee will be selecting the best holiday decorated home & yard for their “Yard of the Month” award in December. The winning selection will be made on December 15th, and the community is invited to help in the selection process by sending your suggestion with address to Linda Nunes at lnunes@sidewindercycle.com or by phone to 805-524-3021.
The award winner will receive a gift certificate for $25 that has been generously donated by Otto & Sons Nursery.

These names were received from November 11to November 18, 2009.
A light will be shining on the Hospice “Light Up A Life Tree” at the Tree Lighting Ceremony on Main Street and 8th in Santa Paula.
Join us for the Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, November 28, 2009 at 4:30 PM.

IN MEMORY OF:
Julie Patricia Bero
Eloise Peterson
Francis Brennan
Diane Dudley
Carroll Courtnier
Max Rudolph
Gwendolin Rudolph
Lane Grubbs
Genevieve Newkirk
Olivier Family
Brown Family
Messer Family
Chamberlin Family
Chris Reynolds
Pat Reynolds
David M. Salas
Margaret D. Salas
Fred Wills
Winifred Wills
Ruth Carlstrom
Verner Calstrom
Jose V. Limon
Jack Ridpath Helvey
Richard L. Perez
Mary Fuller
Sally Phelps
Stanton Spencer
Roy Wilson
Alice T. Cox
John H. Cox
Winifred Cox
Harriet M. Teague
Charles C. Teague
Peter Rubel
Bettie Rubel
Karen WetterichOlga Iwasiuk
Elmer Steiger
Violet Gabrealla Reeder
Kenneth Staufenbery Lee Herron, Sr.
Joe M. Lopez
Johnny “Lil push-up” Lopez
Barbara Cooksey Lopez
Richie Van Lopez
Norma Smith Lopez
Juan Munoz
Lupe Araiza Munoz
Benjamin C. Borrego
Jennie C. Borrego
Nemecio Chavez
Rufina Chavez
Amy Chapman Jennings
Trusten Polk Jennings
Olga Chapman Zink
Merton Zink
Maxine Bryden
Regina Ferris
Rollie Ferris
Percy and Anita Strickland
Charles P. Strickland, Jr.
Mary Strickland Fuller
Hazel Bard Strickland
Serge and Doris Leslie
Gayle Strifler
Jane Harris Warren
William Warren, Jr.
Agatha Terry
Fred Schlichter
Norene Schlichter
Ethyl Schlichter
Gil Jackson
Jack Skousen
Lavenia Sipes
Truman D. Sipes
Delcie Shoemate
John Shoemate
Lori Bernstein
Mary Fuller
Betty Lindsay
Stephanie Casey
Gene Cruise
Bob Laidler
Joyce Giorgi
Dorothy Claypool
Don Claypool
Della Giblon
Bill Ratcliff
Nancy Bright
Don Lindsay
David Dixon
Robert Hunt
Linda Hunt Abbott
Santa Paula Veterans
who died in
World War I
World War II
Korean War
Vietnam War
Mary Arguelles

IN HONOR OF:
Jack E. Bero
Mrs. Meg Jackson
All Jackson Kids
Dorothy Allee
Dr. Evan Slater
Dr. Sam Edward
Lilly Araiza Munoz Lopez
Richard M. Lopez
Cathy and Carl Barringer
Men and Women serving in our Armed Forces

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 18, 2009 — AT&T* today announced that it will launch the fourth annual campaign to raise awareness of childhood cancer and collect donations to support PADRES Contra El Cáncer (PADRES), a nonprofit organization committed to improving the quality of life for Latino children who are battling the disease, beginning November 22. AT&T set a goal of raising $300,000 this year, which would mean a total donation of $1 million to PADRES since the campaign’s inception in 2007.

Throughout the six-week program, donations will be collected at more than 130 AT&T retail locations throughout the Greater Los Angeles area. AT&T is also offering a promotion throughout the duration of the campaign. When customers purchase an LG phone, AT&T will donate $20 to PADRES and the customer will receive a free LOUVER by Louis Verdad designer cap.

“AT&T has been a faithful partner in CONTINUED »

Tuesday December 1st, Kyle Wilson of Edward Jones will discuss the health of today's financial markets.

Tuesday December 8th, No meeting

Rotary Sun Risers meet every Tuesday at 7:00 a.m. at El Pescador. For more information please contact Joe Aguirre, President at 524-2096

Ventura, CA. - With 410,000 doses of the H1N1 vaccine expected in Ventura County, the county has seen 28% of its expected allotment; a total of 113,000 doses of the vaccine have been delivered to local health care providers to date. The number of high risk people lining up for the vaccine is beginning to slow, therefore Dr. Robert Levin, Public Health Officer, has expanded the list of eligible recipients to include health care providers and first responders. These groups are defined as health care and emergency medical services personnel who have direct patient contact.

After numerous public health flu clinics held throughout the county targeting the most at-risk groups, Dr. Levin now feels it is appropriate to expand eligible recipients to this important group. “We’re pleased with the number of people who have been getting vaccinated and that the message has gotten out to those most at-risk,” said Dr. Levin. “Health care providers and medical staff in our county have been extremely gracious to allow their patients most at risk to step to the front of the line, so to speak, and receive the vaccine first. There are counties that have not been as selfless, and I believe our health care providers are to be commended for putting the community first. We are happy to now be able to offer the vaccine to them, as they are in daily contact with those capable of spreading the virus.”

Those who have been eligible to receive the vaccine, and continue to be, are children from the ages of six months to 24-years of age; healthy household contacts of infants under 6 months of age; pregnant women, and adults from the ages of 24 to 64 years of age who have high risk medical conditions, such as lung disease, diabetes and heart disease.

People not included in the above groups have been shown to be at low risk for serious illness from the H1N1 virus. For more information on H1N1 visit the Public Health website at www.vchca.org/ph

Conway Spitler

Volunteers giving their time and talents to: Beautify our community, Enrich our lives and our community, Protect, preserve and promote what our citizens value and desire, Foster cooperation, communication and networking in the community, Teach and mentor our youth and other members of our community; support for our schools, and Maximize our community's resources and opportunities.

Community volunteerism brings different generations and cultures together to exchange ideas, knowledge and history and gives one a healthy outlook on life and a positive attitude. Volunteering makes one feel good about contributing to others and spreads valuable information throughout the community through positive interaction.
This leads to the creation of long-lasting networks in our community and the establishment of common goals.
Volunteerism also furthers our local resources (we can do more with what we have) and helps to keep crime rates low. It also promotes understanding of other viewpoints, cultures, ages, etc. and leads to a "sense of community"
Perhaps most importantly, widespread community volunteerism creates self-reliance within the community and the understanding that progress is not dependent on "others".

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

1:05 PM: Piru : Battery - Main St. @ Center St., Piru. During the filming of a movie, a member of the paparazzi encroached onto a restricted area where she was confronted by a film security guard. The paparazzi photographer, 49 year old Angela Coqueran, struck the security guard while alleging that he had pushed her camera into her face. Coqueran was detained by on-site C.H.P until she was cited and released for misdemeanor battery by Sheriff's Deputies.