The Humane Society of Ventura County is asking for the public’s help in order to care for and feed 10 neglected animals recently rescued from a ranch in Moorpark.

On Dec. 9, Humane Society Officers brought into protective custody two Brahma bulls, two heifer cows and six horses. Most of the animals are considered emaciated and are being housed at HSVC’s shelter in Ojai. There are already five horses from three different cases now pending charges in Ventura County Superior Court at the facility.

HSVC Shelter Director Jolene Hoffman said "it can take several months of ongoing care to get the animals back to full weight.” The shelter will be feeding them over six bales of feed per day plus supplements. The Humane Society also is in need of funds to cover the extreme cost of medical for all the animals and farrier care for the horses.

“These are tough times for people, but there is no excuse for the neglect that these animals have suffered,” Hoffman said.

Pictures of the emaciated animals can be found on HSVC’s website and updates will be posted regularly on their Facebook page.

Donations may be brought to the Humane Society shelter at 402 Bryant Street in Ojai or sent to P.O. Box 297, Ojai, Calif. 93024. You can also donate online at www.HSVC.org. For more information, please call (805) 656-5031.

The Humane Society of Ventura County is a private, nonprofit organization founded in 1932. It does not receive federal, state or local tax dollars to operate and relies solely on private donations.

A light will be shining on the Hospice “Light Up A Life Tree”
These names were received between 11/29/14 and 12/8/14:

FILLMORE IN MEMORY OF:
Eric (Rick) Godfrey
Bret Godfrey
Vena Godfrey
Louis and Grace Meehl
Terry Meehl
Kathy Black
Bill (Smitty) Smith
Francine Pittman
Francis Caffro
Bernice Caffro
Lloyd Michel, Jr.
Neva and Donald DeYoung

PIRU IN MEMORY OF:
Carolina R. Avila

SANTA CLARA VALLEY HOSPICE HOME SUPPORT GROUP, INC

In observance of the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, the employees of Santa Clara Valley Disposal will be taking the days off. As a result, Fillmore residential customers will have their trash and green waste collected on Saturday, Dec. 27, and their trash and collectables on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015, one day later than usual.

The regular Friday trash collection schedule in Fillmore will return on Jan. 9, 2015.

As a special holiday feature, residents may put out twice the amount of trash at no extra charge during the two weeks following Christmas. Please make sure the trash is in bags. We will also collect extra recyclables, but please make sure to flatten all boxes.

Also, Harrison is making it easy for their customers to recycle their Christmas trees. All customers need to do is remove the ornaments, hooks, lights, tinsel, bows, nails and tree stand, then cut the tree into sections no more than 4 feet long and place in the yard waste barrel on their scheduled pickup day. Flocked trees now also can be recycled.

For more information, call 647-1414.

Fillmore FFA is selling 2015 Calendars as a fundraiser his year! This supports the kids in the chapter by sending them to different conferences, workshops, contests, buying FFA Jackets, and so much more. The calendar is advertised by different local businesses and farms in Ventura County and modified from last year to have an even better product! Each calendar is wrapped to prevent damage, designed by students, and are only $10! Please come find any FFA members who will be selling the calendars or feel free to email Jessica Manginelli at jmmanginelli@yahoo.com, or call or text at (805)509-0451 to get more information or buy a calendar. Thank you!
Jessica Manginelli
Fillmore FFA Secretary

Ventura, CA - The Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) will soon unveil its new fleet of intercity buses, which are funded through California’s Proposition 1B.

The dedication of the fleet and unveiling of the new service branding will occur at 10:30 a.m. following the organization’s monthly Commission meeting on December 5, 2014. The event will take place at Camarillo City Hall, located at 601 Carmen Drive. The ceremony is expected to last approximately 30 minutes.

The 14 new clean-diesel MCI motorcoaches are a long-awaited addition to VCTC’s intercity bus service, which recently celebrated its 20th year of service. Sporting a bright blue exterior and prominently displaying the new VCTC Intercity Bus branding, the new coaches feature high-back seats, foot rests, LED reading lights, and electrical outlets. The vehicles also include pull-out bike storage trays in addition to front-mounted bike racks, which allow for the safe transportation of at least four bicycles.

“The Ventura County community is the true beneficiary of these new high-quality vehicles,” noted VCTC Executive Director Darren Kettle. “Not only will they provide more comfortable and enjoyable travel for our customers, but the entire community can benefit from their increased cost-efficiency and improved performance.”

The new VCTC Intercity Bus fleet was funded using a portion of California’s Proposition 1B, which allocated nearly $20 billion in general obligation bonds to address air quality and safety projects such as public transportation. The Prop 1B funding allocated to Ventura County is being utilized to fund street and highway improvements, rail safety projects, transit vehicles, and other transit improvements.

VCTC Intercity Bus (formerly VISTA) provides inter-community bus service throughout Ventura County. For more information about VCTC and VCTC Intercity Bus, visit www.goventura.org or call 800-438-1112.

Ventura, CA - Community Memorial Health System holds regularly scheduled Smoking Cessation classes.

The eight-session class covered over seven weeks includes confidential sessions on how to handle smoking urges, how to handle stress and moods and how to handle slips. Sessions on weight, exercise, lifestyle balance, meditation and life without cigarettes also will be covered. Discounted nicotine replacement therapy products are also available to program participants.

The classes are located at the CMH Cancer Resource Center, 2900 Loma Vista Rd., Suite 105 in Ventura.

The classes are Mondays from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Registration is required. For registration information for the next class and cost details contact the CMHS HealthAware at healthaware@cmhshealth.org or call 805/667-2818 or (805/652-5339 Español).

Community Memorial Hospital is a member of Community Memorial Health System, a not-for-profit health system, which is comprised of Community Memorial Hospital, Ojai Valley Community Hospital, and 12 family-practice health centers entitled Centers for Family Health. The health system is located in Ventura County, California.

Stroll the enchantingly lighted gardens, view handmade and unique decorations, visit the traditionally adorned historic buildings, join the festivities, and enjoy holiday themed music and entertainment. A Christmas Market, book sale, and seasonal food complete the holiday fare.

A 2:00 performance by the Newhall Nazarene Celebration Choir of excerpts from “I’ll Be Home for Christmas" will highlight the December 6 entertainment. This is a swing-time radio musical about family and hope set in 1941. A 3:00 performance by the educational / performance group Women of the Bible of “The Three Queens”, will highlight the December 7 entertainment.. This lighthearted presentation depicts the Nativity from the perspective of the wives of the Three Wise Men.

Step back in time where the history, myth, and romance of old California still linger… and experience the sights, sounds and aromas of Christmas at Camulos – A Fiesta of Lights .

Reservations are not required but are appreciated. The suggested donation is $5 and children under 12 are free. See www.ranchocamulos.org for more details.

Rancho Camulos Museum and National Historic Landmark is on Highway 126, 2 miles East of Piru and 10 miles west of the I-5 at the Santa Clarita Newhall Ranch Road exit. Contact: Info@ranchocamulos.org / 805-521-1501

Stroll the enchantingly lighted gardens, view handmade and unique decorations, visit the traditionally adorned historic buildings, join the festivities, and enjoy holiday themed music and entertainment. A Christmas Market, book sale, and seasonal food complete the holiday fare.

A 2:00 performance by the Newhall Nazarene Celebration Choir of excerpts from “I’ll Be Home for Christmas" will highlight the December 6 entertainment. This is a swing-time radio musical about family and hope set in 1941. A 3:00 performance by the educational / performance group Women of the Bible of “The Three Queens”, will highlight the December 7 entertainment.. This lighthearted presentation depicts the Nativity from the perspective of the wives of the Three Wise Men.

Step back in time where the history, myth, and romance of old California still linger… and experience the sights, sounds and aromas of Christmas at Camulos – A Fiesta of Lights .

Reservations are not required but are appreciated. The suggested donation is $5 and children under 12 are free. See www.ranchocamulos.org for more details.

Rancho Camulos Museum and National Historic Landmark is on Highway 126, 2 miles East of Piru and 10 miles west of the I-5 at the Santa Clarita Newhall Ranch Road exit. Contact: Info@ranchocamulos.org / 805-521-1501

The Humane Society of Ventura County will hold its annual “Santa Paws” fund-raiser in Ventura on Sunday, Dec. 7, where pets – along with their families – can have their pictures taken with Santa.

The photo shoot will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Marriott Ventura Beach hotel, 402 2055 East Harbor Blvd. Parking is free.

For a $25 donation, pet owners receive several professional photos on a compact disc that will be ready to take home the day of the event. Adults and children are welcome in photos – with or without Santa. Those who do not have a pet can bring their children to avoid long lines at the mall.

Greg Cooper, a professional photographer who also teaches at the Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara, is the photographer. Chuck Bowman is Santa.Proceeds go to the care of animals in need throughout Ventura County.

For more information, call 646-6505 or visit www.hsvc.org.

The Humane Society of Ventura County is a private, nonprofit organization founded in 1932. It does not receive federal, state or local tax dollars to operate and relies solely on private donations.

VENTURA COUNTY, CA - On Sunday, Dec. 14, , from 12 – 4 p.m., Santa Claus will make an early visit to Ventura County when he stops by Ventura County Animal Services’ (VCAS) Camarillo Pet Adoption Center, 600 Aviation Dr., to participate in the agency’s first annual “Santa Paws” fundraiser.

Dogs, along with their families, are invited to have their photos taken with Santa for a $20 donation. In addition, VCAS will provide discounted rabies shots, pet micro-chipping and license renewal services on site.

“We are grateful to Santa for taking time out of his busy schedule to support VCAS,” said Tara Diller, VCAS Director. “Every dollar earned will go toward the care and comfort of the hundreds of dogs at our adoption centers waiting to be brought home for the holidays.”

All dogs must be leashed and accompanied by their owners. For more information, contact Yvonne Tello, VCAS Volunteer Coordinator, at: (805) 765-5890 or VCAR@ventura.org.

To learn more about VCAS and to view photos and descriptions of all adoptable animals, visit: www.vcas.us.

This Tuesday, November 25th, Assemblyman Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo) and Assemblymember-Elect Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) will join representatives from California American Water and the Ventura County Rescue Mission in Oxnard for the annual “Operation Gobble” turkey giveaway to present a donation of 200 Thanksgiving turkeys to the Ventura County Rescue Mission.

What: “Operation Gobble” Turkey Giveaway with the Ventura County Rescue Mission

When: Tuesday, November 25, 2014 @ 9:30 a.m.

Who: Assemblyman Jeff Gorell
Assemblymember-Elect Jacqui Irwin
California American Water
Ventura County Rescue Mission

Where: California American Water
2439 W Hillcrest Drive
Newbury Park, CA 91320
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/xmtSk

Operation Gobble is a joint philanthropic venture between California water companies and local state legislators that is set to deliver an estimated 30,000 turkeys to at-risk families throughout the state this Thanksgiving holiday. Since 1990, the program has paired the resources of the private and public sectors to benefit those in need. Participating investor-owned water companies, such as California American Water, provide turkeys and delivery services in partnership with local elected officials who offer expertise in directing the donations to community food banks, churches and other non-profit organizations.

Heritage Valley Bus Service – Valley Express

During a meet and confer meeting with representatives of the Ventura County Transportation Commission, VCTC, and representatives of the Heritage Valley Policy Advisory Committee, which Mayor Manuel Minjares is a member, held a vote to award the transit contract to MV Transportation. The vote was 4-2 with Mayor Minjares voting to have MV Transportation and Fillmore Area Transit Corporation (FATCO) submit final and best proposals. The new bus service is scheduled to begin March 1, 2015 when MV Transportation begins operating the new Valley Express transit service.

The Mayor and City Council are deeply disappointed in this decision. FATCO has provided public transportation for over forty years in Fillmore and throughout Ventura County. FATCO was founded out of a need to help provide people in the community transportation. FATCO is a part of our city history and is a wonderful, historic, small business success story.

I want to publicly thank the Morris Family for their dedication to Fillmore and our residents over the years.

Council Member Steve Conaway

Steve Conaway’s last city council meeting will take place Tuesday, December 9 when city council swears in two newly elected members Carrie Broggie and incumbent Diane McCall. He was appointed to the city council in 2013 to serve out the remaining term of another city council member who resigned their position. He has served the residents of Fillmore for over 9 years both as Mayor and as a council member. He was able to share historical information and the basis behind city council decisions in the past. It was a great honor and pleasure to work with Steve over the past year. While he will no longer be on the dais, I have no doubt he will still be actively involved with the city as he has a great love and appreciation for Fillmore. Most people know he loves to barbeque and recently started to enter local BBQ competitions. I look forward to being a taste tester for his entries at the various competitions.

The Morris family and Steve are prime examples why Fillmore is the “Last Best Small Town”.