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.

November 21st, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. It is the annual Rancho Camulos sale of used books in every category, including Art, Gardening, Cooking, History, Mystery, Travel, Romance, and Children's. There may even be some rare books just waiting to be found! This is a great way for readers to help the environment and save money. The gift shop will be open selling unique art and California history related items. There will be free activities for children throughout the day. Proceeds benefit this non-profit's preservation, restoration, and educational projects. Rancho Camulos is located on Hwy 126, 2 miles East of Piru and 10 miles west of the I-5 at Santa Clarita. Visit www.ranchocamulos.org / call: 805-521-1501

This years Piru Christmas theme naming contest was won by Briana Segovian, 6th grader at Piru School. Briana is 11 years and her proud parents are Martin and Obdulia Segovian.

This Merry Christmas To Our Soldiers (Piru Patriots) is the theme for the Piru Christmas Parade, scheduled for December 12th, Saturday, at noon. Immediately following the Parade will be our post parade festivities at the Piru Depot. The parade awards ceremony will commence at 2:00 pm. This year’s judges are: Captian Hagel of the Fillmore Sheriff’s Department, Donna Plummer of Ventura County Management office, John Avila, Piru Cemetery

Volunteers are needed, food vendors, crafts vendors and Merchandise are needed. Volunteer/Vendors meeting is November 12th , 7 o’clock pm at Piru Community Center. For more information and application go to the pirupress.com website. You can also pick up food vendor applications at Elva’s Market , Piru Market or U Scream Ice Cream. Please return food application no later than November 24th to Event Planner, Chacha,

call 5210527 or email mtroyke@yahoo.com

We look forward to hearing from you.

Donna Chessani

Donna Chessani know as Mrs. Cheese is our 2009 Grand Marshal for Piru's 32nd Annual Christmas Parade.

Donna has lived in Piru since 1964 coming from Fillmore after marrying Reynaldo Chessani now in their 49th year of marriage and still going strong. Donna's parents were Charles and Faye Hanna former Piru Christmas Parade Grand Marshals themselves. Donna and Reynaldo have two children Tami and Tim as well as daughter in law Sheri and three grandchildren, Jessica, Kardi and Taylor.

Donna worked for Piru Citrus for 6 years, followed by 34 years at the Piru School. Mrs Cheese has volunteered for the Piru Girl Scouts, Piru Youth Club and the PTA. She is a regular volunteer for school events.

Donna is a true animal lover. During her time at Piru School she spent many hours caring for the Piru school Farm animals. She's can often be found caring for lost dogs & cats and until they can be placed in good homes.

Mrs. Cheese retired from Piru School ????, the staff and children were sad to see her go. But we all know Mrs. Cheese's heart will always be with the Piru School children. She still visits Piru School kids when donating school supplies. Thank you Mrs Cheese for being a great example and friend to the Piru Community.

Cheryl Cobb

Ventura, CA. - Cheryl Evans Cobb, RN, BSN, PHN, who has over 25 years of experience as both an emergency room nurse and administrator, has been hired as Director of Community Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department.

Cobb comes to CMH after serving two years as Director of Emergency Services at West Hills Hospital and Medical Center in West Hills. Previously, Cobb served as Manager of the Emergency Department of Encino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center from 2006 to 2007 and Manager of Disease Management at the Motion Picture & Television Fund in Woodland Hills from 2004 to 2006. Cobb also was Assistant Department Administrator of Emergency Services at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Woodland Hills from 1999 to 2004.

Before entering hospital administration, Cobb was an ER nurse at various southern California hospitals including Northridge Hospital Medical Center in Northridge , Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach and Robert F Kennedy Medical Center in Hawthorne for over fifteen years. She is an active member of the Emergency Nurses Association.

In her new capacity, Cobb directs all operations, programs and activities in CMH’s 23 bed Emergency Room. Her duties include preparing capital and operating budgets, and implementing practices to improve ED throughput and patient safety.

Cobb, who lives in Westlake Village, received her diploma in Nursing from Los Angeles County Medical Center School of Nursing in 1983. She also has a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from The University of Phoenix.

Camarillo, Calif. – The holidays are right around the corner, and with parties and special events of the season, babysitters will be in demand. Youths can prepare themselves to keep a watchful eye over children by signing up for the Youth Babysitters Training Course offered by the American Red Cross of Ventura County on November 13-14. The youth training sessions will take place at the Camarillo headquarters located at the Betty R. Plotkin Center, 836 Calle Plano.

The first session starts on Friday, November 13 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., and concludes on Saturday from, November 14 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $85.

In the first session, youths will learn basic child care such as diaper changing, feeding and dealing with hazards. The second session will cover CPR for child/infant and First Aid. Certificates will be issued for both First Aid and Babysitting Training.

Individuals can sign up by calling Rachele Ford at 805-339-2234, ext. 281 or register online at www.arcventura.org.

Since 1917, the American Red Cross of Ventura County has been meeting needs throughout the communities it serves. Each year, more than 1,200 local volunteers respond to more than 50 local disasters, teach tens of thousands of individual’s vital lifesaving skills, and support the men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces. The American Red Cross is not a government agency.

The winners circle.
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The Piru Community Center, during serving of food.
Enlarge Photo

As a Halloween moon ascended into the twilight sky above Piru, it was a perfect backdrop against which Warring park slipped from daylight into the darkness. About this time the otherwise peaceful park grounds were engulfed by all manor of costumed little people. The air hung heavy with the sounds of Thriller and Vincent Price reverberating through the macob mist wafting up from the nearby Piru river. There appeared to be sixty or more of these strangely attired little creatures. They divided into frightening formations around the baseball diamond. It was apparent that there was some method to their madness as they grouped by ages. The 1-5yrs old advanced on the first base area. Ages 6-9yrs hovered near second base. Ages 10-13yrs took up positions near shortstop. Ages 14 & Up haunted nearby the third base area.

There were five creatures cleverly disguised as ordinary humans near home plate. Four of were seated at the judges table, just below a giant spider looming from its web which by this time had covered the entire backstop beyond with its web. These five entities even had human alias. There was John Avila, Bonnie & Dick Gilmore, Dan O'Connell as judges and Catina Aguilar VP- PNC. All claim Piru as there regular haunt.

At great personal risk I continued to CONTINUED »

This is the 20th year for Grad Nite Live and still going strong. It's hard to believe that this Little Town of Fillmore has kept this organization for the graduating seniors alive. We lost 8 Fillmore High School Students over a period of 18 months during the years 1988 to 1990. Then 5 hours after Jimmy Anderson graduated June 1990, he was a passenger in an auto accident after having been to a party that was given by another senior’s parents where many of the graduating class attended. In all these various accidents liquor, drugs, highway speed or just highway travel were involved. After the 1990 graduation party tragedy we got some of the parents of the upcoming graduating class of 1991, school personnel and concerned citizens of Fillmore together and decided to do something for the "91 class to keep them safe and give them a party out of town. Grad Nite Live was born. Truly the first Party Boat wasn't great, but we've gotten better - actually perfect!! Its fun, they’re fed, danced and entertained kept safe, no alcohol, drugs or cigarettes and home by 6 am for breakfast. We started taking 140 graduates for $10,000 and now it 270 for $23,000, all done by fund-raisers and donations from this Little Town. Thank You!

The Fillmore Senior Class of 2010 is selling Marie Callender Pies for Thanksgiving for Grad Nite Live. They will be selling until the 13th of November and then they will deliver them to you Tuesday afternoon the 24th of November. The pies will be ready for pick-up at 12 noon to 4 pm in the main room at the Memorial Bldg. Please use the doors on the Shiells Drive side. The front door is for the Ebell Club.

We are selling Apple, Pumpkin, Pecan, Razelberry and Lite Apple...$11:00 each. If you haven't been contacted by a High School Senior you can call Mrs. Chaney 524-4909 or 407-5759 and place your order. The Class of 2009 sold 1445 pies last year and this class is trying to sell more…help us!!

Ventura County Public Health has received the first delivery of the Inactivated Injectable H1N1 vaccine. “The quantity of vaccine received does not even begin to immunize the at-risk population in Ventura County”, said Dr. Robert Levin, Health Officer. “It only represents 1% of the vaccine we hope to eventually get.” As with the FluMist, which has been available for the past two weeks, the vaccine will be given to those at highest risk of infection and serious illness. This includes people between the ages of 6 months and 24 years of age, pregnant women, caretakers and household contacts of infants under the age of 6 months, and people with high risk conditions from 25 to 64 years of age. High risk is defined as those individuals with substantial, physically disabling conditions such as asthma, emphysema, cystic fibrosis and other lung diseases; heart disease but not high blood pressure; diabetes; morbid obesity; neurocognitive disease; neuromuscular disease; and suppressed immunity due to such things as cancer, chemotherapy, steroids, and HIV/AIDS.

People not included in these groups have been shown to be at low risk for serious illness from the H1N1 virus.
In addition to the injectable vaccine availability at Public Health Clinics (see www.vchca.org/ph for clinic locations), there are over 300 physicians’ offices in Ventura County that will offer the vaccine over the coming weeks as more vaccine arrives in our county. Residents are encouraged to contact their personal physician for vaccine availability.

The novel H1N1 (swine) vaccine is available for county residents only. This delivery of the Inactivated Injectable H1N1 vaccine is the first to arrive in the county. As more vaccine is made available, remaining groups eligible to receive it will be expanded. Residents are encouraged to visit the Public Health website for current information.

Tuesday November 2nd, Mark Davis, presentation about Rotary Foundation.
Tuesday, November 8th, Tim Gurrola will be our speaker.
Tuesday, November 17th a presentation about GSE.
The Rotary Foundation’s Group Study Exchange (GSE) program is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for businesspeople and professionals between the ages of 25 and 40 who are in the early stages of their careers. The program provides travel grants for teams to exchange visits in paired areas of different countries. For four to six weeks, team members experience the host country's culture and institutions, observe how their vocations are practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas.
In a typical four-week tour, applicants participate in five full days of vocational visits, 15 to 20 club presentations, 10 to 15 formal visits and social events, two to three days at the district conference, three to four hours per day of cultural and site tours, and three to four hours per day of free time with host families.
For each team member, the Foundation provides the most economical round-trip airline ticket between the home and host countries. Rotarians in the host area provide for meals, lodging, and group travel within their district.
Tuesday November 24th, Fr. Bob Hammond of Dayspring Anglican Church will
speak about Faith and Thanksgiving.
Rotary Sun Risers meet every Tuesday at 7:00 a.m. at El Pescador Restaurant.
For more information please contact Joe Aguirre 524-2096

The Fillmore Senior Center is holding a unique showing of local collectibles on November 13, 2009 from 10 to 1 PM. All local collectors are invited to display their treasures at the Center’s 533 Santa Clara Street address. There is no charge for admission or show space. There will be complimentary refreshments, and a special gift drawing will be held. Phone Michele Smith at 524-0294 to reserve table space.

Learn acting from Hollywood acting coach/TV & movie stuntman, Steve Burhoe. Participate in stage shows, learn how to prepare for auditions for commercials, TV roles and live stage theatre!

Class meets weekly on Tuesdays from 4:30 – 6:00 pm at the
Community/Senior Center, 533 Santa Clara St. Kids will learn all aspects of acting in a fun environment. What a great way to improve social skills, build up self-confidence, and make new friends. Adding Performing Arts to your school curriculum has also shown that kids can greatly improve their grades in math and language arts!

Cost for each 4-week session is $55.00. Every 8 weeks kids will get a chance to perform in a showcase for family and friends at no extra charge.

A Christmas show is now being planned. We need kids between 5 and 17 years of age. Early sign up is advised to participate in the show.

This workshop is on-going throughout the year. Register at Fillmore Parks & Rec. Dept. at City Hall -- For information contact
Priscilla Rzezuski (805) 524-0553.

Just a reminder of the Fillmore Lions Club's annual Enchilada Dinner. Keep in mind that it is an "all you can eat" dinner, so you will definitely get your money's worth.

We are holding this fund-raiser to donate 100% of the profit back into the youth organizations in Fillmore.

Please join us to help make this a great fundraiser.

Remember that we also serve orders "To Go".

Thanks for supporting the Fillmore Lion's Club

For tickets Call Ron (I will Deliver) at 890-1118.

PS - If you don't want to eat, but would like to make a donation, we'll gladly accept that as well. Just call... I'll even come pick it up!

October 29, 2009 - Ventura County Public Health has received the first delivery of the Inactivated Injectable H1N1 vaccine. “The quantity of vaccine received does not even begin to immunize the at-risk population in Ventura County”, said Dr. Robert Levin, Health Officer. “It only represents 1% of the vaccine we hope to eventually get.” As with the FluMist, which has been available for the past two weeks, the vaccine will be given to those at highest risk of infection and serious illness. This includes people between the ages of 6 months and 24 years of age, pregnant women, caretakers and household contacts of infants under the age of 6 months, and people with high risk conditions from 25 to 64 years of age. High risk is defined as those individuals with substantial, physically disabling conditions such as asthma, emphysema, cystic fibrosis and other lung diseases; heart disease but not high blood pressure; diabetes; morbid obesity; neurocognitive disease; neuromuscular disease; and suppressed immunity due to such things as cancer, chemotherapy, steroids, and HIV/AIDS.

People not included in these groups have been shown to be at low risk for serious illness from the H1N1 virus.

In addition to the injectable vaccine availability at Public Health Clinics (see www.vchca.org/ph for clinic locations), there are over 300 physicians’ offices in Ventura County that will offer the vaccine over the coming weeks as more vaccine arrives in our county. Residents are encouraged to contact their personal physician for vaccine availability.

The novel H1N1 (swine) vaccine is available for county residents only. This delivery of the Inactivated Injectable H1N1 vaccine is the first to arrive in the county. As more vaccine is made available, remaining groups eligible to receive it will be expanded. Residents are encouraged to visit the Public Health website for current information.

Maggie Garrett M. L. Ac. announces the opening of her practice at 448 Santa Clara St. across the street from City Hall in association with Dr. Mickey Rubino, D.C. She is currently available for treatments on Tuesdays and Thursdays and will expand hours in the future as needed.

Ms Garrett received her Master’s Degree in Oriental Medicine from the Santa Barbara College of Oriental Medicine, and has a private practice in Ojai. She also does acupuncture for The Oaks Spa in Ojai. She designed the acupressure massage, focusing on points that stimulate metabolism, which is used there. Her specialty is the treatment of chronic and severe headaches.

Acupuncture encompasses a variety of techniques besides needling, including CONTINUED »