VENTURA, Calif. – If you are giving or receiving a gift card this holiday season, make sure you know your rights! California law offers important protections for gift card holders and purchasers, ensuring fairness and transparency in how gift cards can be used and redeemed.

These consumer rights are outlined in California Civil Code section 1749.5:

• Gift cards in Cali-fornia never expire.

• Retailers must replace or refund the value of unusable gift cards.

• Upon request retailers must provide cash or a check for gift card balances of $9.99 or less.

• Gift cards sold in California cannot be subject to service or related fees, except for dormancy fees under very limited circumstances.

Additionally, gift card issuers may not “opt out” of the requirements of Civil Code section 1749.5.
If you experience issues using or obtaining a refund for an eligible gift card, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office encourages you to take action. Contact us via email at daspecialops@ventura.org or by phone at (805) 662-1750.
Learn more about holiday gift card scams on our Instagram page.

Contact: Joey Buttitta

Title: Communications Manager/PIO

Phone: (805) 767-3400

Email: Joey.Buttitt a@ventura.org

Approved: SW

Date: December 20, 2024

Release No.: 24-154

The Fillmore Flashes Girls Wrestling team made a strong showing at the Channel Islands Girls Wrestling Tournament held at Del Sol High School in Oxnard on Saturday, December 7, with standout performances from co-captains Alexa Martinez and Emma Torres.

Alexa Martinez, a senior co-captain, turned in an impressive performance in the 145 lb. weight class, finishing in 2nd place out of 9 athletes. Alexa demonstrated her strength, skill, and determination, finishing with a 2-1 record on the day. Her only loss came in a hard-fought final match, but she made her presence felt throughout the tournament with a series of dominant performances.

Alexa’s success at the Channel Islands Tournament is just the latest chapter in an impressive season. She also played a key role in the team’s dual match against Newbury Park earlier in the week, where she pinned her opponent, earning a crucial 6 points for the team. With a season record of 9-2 and two tournament placements under her belt, Alexa continues to be a driving force for the Flashes both on and off the mat.

Emma Torres, also a senior co-captain, had an exceptional showing in her first tournament of the season. Competing in the highly competitive 130 lb. weight class, Emma faced a full bracket featuring 16 wrestlers. Despite the stiff competition, Emma dominated the tournament with a 4-1 record, securing 3rd place overall. She won all four of her matches by pin, showcasing her wrestling acumen and relentless drive.

With her strong finish at Channel Islands, Emma now boasts a 6-2 record for the season. Her hard work and preparation have clearly paid off, and she has quickly established herself as one of the team’s top competitors.

“Our team captains’ tenacity and ability to stay focused under pressure were on full display,” said Fillmore’s head girls coach Michael Torres. “They have been a huge asset to the team, not only through their individual success but also by supporting their teammates every step of the way.”

Though the team faced tough competition, several athletes showed strong promise, with Karina Vergara (135 lbs), Christine Panopio (140 lbs), and Yoseline Cruz (140 lbs) each finishing with 2-2 records. Ava Manzano (235 lbs) also showed perseverance with a 1-2 record.

Overall, while some wrestlers faced tough early exits, the Flashes earned valuable experience on the mats as they continue to prepare for upcoming events and dual matches.

The Flashes head into the next phase of their season with weekend tournaments in December at Hueneme High School, Saturday, December 14th and at Millikan High School, Saturday, December 21st.

The next home dual meet will be vs. Channel Islands High School: Wednesday, January 8th, start time: 5:30 pm.
Full Results: Celeste Juarez (110 lb.) 0-2, Delilah Cervantez (115 lb.) 0-2, Jasmine Contreras (115 lb.) 0-2, Micaela Ramirez (120 lb.) 0-2, Emma Torres (130 lb.) 4-1, Jacqueline Lomeli (130 lb.) 0-2, Karina Vergara (135 lb.) 2-2, Michelle Pinedo (135 lb.) 0-2, Skyla Sandoval (135 lb.) 0-2), Christine Panopio (140 lb.) 2-2, Yoseline Cruz (140 lb.) 2-2, Alexa Martinez (145 lb.) 2-1, Candy Aguilar (170 lb.) 0-2, Ava Manzano (235 lb.) 1-2.

Photo credit Gazette staff.
Enlarge Photo

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The decision to choose purple as the theme color for the theater was not arbitrary. The initial inspiration came from the 325 purple seats in the theater, which serve as the most prominent feature in the main section of the building. Since purple was already such a dominant color in the seating area, it only made sense to extend that theme throughout the rest of the space.

Purple has a personal significance to me as well. For those who know me, it’s no secret that I am passionate about cars. The first car that truly left an impression on me as a child, was a 1970 Dodge Challenger owned by a neighbor in Glendale, which was painted in Dodge’s iconic “Plum Crazy” purple. This color, still associated with the brand today, has become legendary. Classic Plymouths and Dodges from that era in this shade are highly sought after by collectors. Interestingly, the Road Runner cartoon character, used on one of the most valuable classic muscle cars, the Plymouth Roadrunner, also features purple in its plumage and wings.

I also have a deep love for Halloween, where orange and purple are the defining colors. My purple enthusiasm also comes from my love of the Haunted Mansion ride at Disneyland, where purple wallpaper can not only be seen on the ride, but throughout souvenirs and paraphernalia related to the ride. And let’s not forget Taco Bell—another one of my favorites—whose current logo prominently features purple.

On a more serious note, purple carries significant symbolism:
In the U.S., the Purple Heart is one of the highest honors for bravery in military service. Originally created in 1782 by George Washington, the award recognizes soldiers for their courageous actions. Purple, in this context, represents honor and valor. This meaning is especially personal to me, as I have two sons in the military—one served in the Navy, and the other is currently serving as a Sergeant in the Marines. I was unable to serve due to asthma, but I hold their service close to my heart.

Purple is also the official color of the Alzheimer’s Association (https://www.alz.org/about/our-brand). Alzheimer’s affects millions of Americans, and I have worked on videos addressing this issue in my professional life. The experience has deepened my understanding of the profound impact Alzheimer’s has, not only on the patients but also on their caregivers.
Spiritually, purple holds powerful meanings across cultures. In Western Christianity, it is often associated with penitence, reflection, and transformation. In Hinduism and Buddhism, purple can symbolize enlightenment and higher consciousness. Source: “The Color Purple: A Symbol of Spirituality,” The Power of Color (2010)

Color psychology suggests that purple—a blend of blue (stability) and red (passion)—promotes wisdom and dignity, qualities often attributed to this rich hue. Source: “Color Psychology: How Colors Influence the Mind,” The Journal of Experimental Psychology (2018).

Historically, purple has been a symbol of women’s suffrage in the U.S., signifying the fight for women’s right to vote and equality. Source: https://sos.oregon.gov/.../suffrage/Pages/context/colors

The history of purple is quite fascinating. From the Carnegie Museum of Natural History:

“The color purple has been associated with royalty since ancient times, in large part because the murex shellfish-based Tyrian purple dye (aka Royal purple or Imperial purple), produced by the Phoenician city of Tyre during the Bronze Age, was very expensive to make and thus only the wealthiest classes, including the nobility, could afford it. Its striking color and resistance to fading made clothing dyed with Tyrian purple highly desirable and the ancient Romans adopted purple as a symbol of imperial authority and status. The togas of the Senators were trimmed in purple and a completely purple toga was worn by the person occupying the powerful office of Censor. It was the Censor’s job to determine which Senators were still worthy of office and who should and should not be on the roster of Rome’s leading citizens.

The color purple was not only reserved as a status symbol for clothing but was also used in Roman monuments and buildings. “Imperial Porphyry” is an igneous rock that contains hematite and the manganese-bearing mineral piemontite that makes it similar in color to the Tyrian purple dye.”

The famous novel “The Color Purple”, by Alice Walker, presents the color as a symbol of beauty and self-realization. In the story, Shug Avery encourages Celie, the protagonist, to recognize the beauty in the world, specifically in the color purple. For Celie, learning to appreciate the color becomes a metaphor for her awakening to joy, self-love, and empowerment.
In short, purple is more than just a color; it is a symbol of bravery, beauty, dignity, transformation, and empowerment. I chose it for the theatre because it reflects the energy, history, and spirit of both the venue and the city of Fillmore. Purple is a color that speaks to the extraordinary, and I can think of no better way to honor the amazing experience we aim to provide as we continue to renovate this space.