Decorative contact lense

California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith today warned consumers about the risks associated with wearing decorative contact lenses.

“Wearing any kind of contact lens, including decorative lenses, without proper consultation of an eye care professional can cause serious injury,” Dr. Smith said. “The risks include infection, ulcers, decreased vision, cuts or scratches to the surface of the eye, itchiness or redness. If these conditions are left untreated, the injuries can progress rapidly. In severe cases, blindness and eye loss can occur.”

The sale of contact lenses without a prescription is illegal. Only Board of Optometry licensed optometrists and ophthalmologists are authorized to prescribe and dispense prescription contact lenses. Medical Board of California registered opticians and optical shops are authorized to fill contact lens prescriptions.

Decorative contact lenses are intended to temporarily change the appearance of the eye, but do not correct vision. Advertised as color, cosmetic, fashion and theatrical contact lenses, they are especially popular around Halloween. Decorative contact lenses are typically sold at beauty supply and novelty stores.

Consumers who have experienced any injury or illness with decorative contact lenses should contact their health care provider. Consumers can report the illegal sale of decorative contact lenses without a prescription to CDPH’s Food and Drug Branch Hotline at 1-800-495-3232 to initiate an investigation.

www.cdph.ca.gov

American Red Cross of Ventura County

Many regular donors delay giving between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day because of holiday activities. This often causes a drop in donated blood available for patients. Therefore, more donations are needed in the weeks leading up to the holidays to help ensure the blood supply is sufficient through the winter months.

For blood donor Katie Osorio, giving a little bit of time is worth it because she’s giving someone a chance at life. “Someone’s mother, brother, sister, father or the love of someone’s life has been given back to their loved ones all because I gave something that I could. It takes so little from me and gives a world back to another.”

To make an appointment to give blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donors are encouraged to make appointments and complete the RapidPass online health history questionnaire at redcrossblood.org/rapidpass to save time when donating.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Ventura

Moorpark
11/2/2016: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., Moorpark College, 7075 Campus Road

Simi Valley
11/3/2016: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Apollo High School, 3150 School Street
11/11/2016: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Rancho Santa Suzanna Community Center, 5005-C Los Angeles Ave

Thousand Oaks
11/7/2016: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W Thousand Oaks Blvd
11/10/2016: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., California Lutheran University, 60 West Olsen Road

Ventura
11/15/2016: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., EP Foster Library, 651 E Main Street

How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

City of Fillmore

The Fillmore City Council has approved a rate hike on water-sewer rates which, on average, will cost consumers more than $100 per month in 2017.

Homeowners have 45 days to object to the rate hike before they go into effect next year and stay in effect for the next 5 years. Notifications of the increase will be sent to homeowners by mail and will include instructions on how to formally object to the action. Prior to a final vote by the Council, hearings will be held in December and January. It is reported that "The rate for standard residential sewer service will rise 12 percent in 2017 and 5 percent per year from 2018 through 2021. The current rate is $92.29 per month. Water rates for residential customers are scheduled to increase 2 percent in 2017, and 5 percent per year from 2018 through 2021".

The rate hike is due to the city's having to pay-off its new, mandated, sewer plant bonds. Reports state the city council explained that the steep rate hike is due to the fact that the city has put off increases until recently. The rate must increase to handle the bond load. If the bonds are not paid according to contract bond rates will rise as well.

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Hello Fillmore Unified School District community and Flashes Alumni! Who loves a Parade? Especially the Fillmore High Homecoming Parade. This is the best, small town, 20 minute parade this side of the Mississippi. Downtown Fillmore will be closed to traffic on Central from Sespe Avenue to Main Street starting at 5:00pm so food vendors can set up. Vendors include Oh My Gosh Hot Dogs, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Amici Pizza, and El Pescador Resturant. Tables and chairs will be placed in front of vendors so all can sit and eat. This all starts at 6:00pm. The parade starts at 6:45 at 2nd Street and Central and ends at Main Street. The Floats will stop on Central near the Town Theater and stay there for everyone to view. Event ends at 9:00pm. Our High School Alma Mater is over 100 years old. Let's Celebrate! Go Flashes!!

Sergio Torres, Sebastian Pujols and Bobby Santarosa. Not pictured John Stines.
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According to the “Fillmore Herald” Newspaper, published December 28, 1923, a new garden club was organized that would function as a County wide garden club. The mission would be, “to promote interest in the subject of gardening and to foster community beautification through district projects.”

This Ventura County Garden Club has continued to function and serve out its purpose by providing labor, funds or items each year to the communities represented by its membership. These communities include Fillmore, Santa Paula, Ventura, Oak View, Ojai, Camarillo, Oxnard and Somis in rotation. This time Fillmore is the recipient of $200 + dollars and Teresa Reese, vice president for the club’s 2015-2016 term chose to purchase plants for a butterfly garden at the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley-Fillmore site on First Street and a smaller project at the One Step A La Vez location.

Three different types of lavender, celosia, rosemary, alyssum and native milkweed have been planted with the boys providing the labor.

Vision 2020, Civic Pride Committee contributed $25 to purchase rails for completing a bench that was donated by Teresa Reese, so the young people could have a place to sit and enjoy their garden. “We are fortunate to have the support of so many groups and citizens in the community. Thank you to the Ventura County Garden Club for the wonderful donation. The children were excited to help with the planting.” stated Ari Larson, board president of the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley (serving the cities of Fillmore, Piru and Santa Paula). For more information on the Ventura County Garden Club and/or the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley please call Linda Nunes at 805.302.7527 and 805.525.7910 respectively.