Ventura County Clerk Recorder/Registrar of Voters Mark Lunn announced today the deadline to register to vote in the November 3, 2015 Uniform District Election (UDEL) is Monday, October 19, 2015.

Voter registration is available online at www.RegisterToVote.ca.gov. Voters may also call the Elections Division at (805) 654-2664 to request a voter registration card be mailed to them.

Voters may still register on a paper form at the Ventura County Elections Division, Government Center Hall of Administration, 800 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Registration forms are also available throughout the County at city halls, post offices, libraries, chambers of commerce, and fire stations. Completed voter registration forms must be postmarked by Monday, October 19, 2015, in order to vote in the November 3, 2015 UDEL Election.

For more information, please visit the Elections Division website at www.venturavote.org or call the Elections Division at (805) 654-2664.

Here we go Fillmore!! Our last Flashback Friday / Alumni Nights event is here. Join us on Friday evening, October 16th in beautiful downtown Fillmore for Classic Cars, and Alumni fun, 5:00pm to 9:00pm. You know the routine. Bring out those folding chairs and come listen to some wonderful Doo Wop music provided by JoeyD from the 50’s and 60’s. It’s good ol Fillmore fun, and the whole gang will be there. Big Bear, maybe the Flashman, and you know SWEET CHEEKS won’t miss the last one of the season!! So mark your calendars for Friday, October 16th, and join in the fun as we shut down Central Avenue and enjoy the beautiful cars, and music from the past. P.S. Don’t forget to save your appetite for the great food that will be there. Let’s make this last Flashback Friday one to
remember. Bring the family!

Historical Landmark No. 151 is back in place after recent repairs to existing damage. The repairs were done for two reasons according to David Smallwood, City of Fillmore Public Works Supervisor: one, it is a historical landmark, and two, it is part of city council goals for beautification of the city. “To me, it is another small sign (no pun intended) of the recovery of our town from the tough economic times we went through, and the hard work city staff and our citizens did to preserve and restore this great community,” stated Smallwood. In September 1994 the sign was designated a historical landmark by the sitting city council. Councilmembers Don Gunderson, Scott Lee, Mike McMahan, Linda Brewster and Roger Campbell determined at an October 1993 public hearing that the Fillmore sign met the criteria of the county Ordinance code. A Cultural Heritage Board Resolution declaring the sign Ventura County Historical Landmark No. 151 was signed. The sign is a Streamline Modern Architectural-style thin vertical rectangle, rounded at top and bottom with a curved arch extending across the top. There is an arrow that goes through the sign at the bottom which points to the downtown. The name Fillmore is spelled out in neon letters, 12 inches with white neon tubing. It is blue-green in color. The original cost of the sign was $190.

The September 6, 2015 Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD) Board Meeting began with Assistant Superintendent Martha Hernandez presenting awards honoring the First Fillmore High School Academic Decathlon Team winners. This accomplishment was a result of teacher Kelsey McClain who, after working with the Academic Decathlon Team at Moorpark High School, brought the challenge to Fillmore. The students studied over 1,000 printed pages of material on 10 subjects that required many hours of dedicated work. "The students are extremely motivated," McClain told the Board.

The students honored were: Connie Quintana-Music and Literature, Jene Tarango-Art, Naythan Martinez-Music and Literature, Dillon Galarza-Science, Jon Menjivar-Social Science, Emma Couse-Art, Miguel Ponce-Economics and Mathematics, Jessica Manginelli-Economics and Mathematics.

An item that required quick Board attention was deciding what to do regarding the vacancy left by John Garnica. Garnica resigned the Board due to a possible conflict of interest over a position his wife had applied for. Beverly Garnica, who had been Assistant Principal at Fillmore Middle School, had applied for a school principal position and is now the principal of Rio Vista Elementary School.

This left the Board with a decision on how to fill the vacancy. Education Code requires that within 60 days of a vacancy the Board must either order a special election or make a provisional appointment. The cost of a special election would be $34,000 and whomever would be elected would hold office for the remainder of Garnica's term. Due to the cost and the short time left on Garnica's term as a Board Member, it was decided to go with a provisional appointee who will then hold office until the next regular scheduled Board election in November 2016.

The position will be advertised for candidate applications. A committee of two Board Members (Lucy Rangel and Scott Beylik) will then vet the applicants eligibility and the Board will interview the candidates at a public meeting and select an appointee.

The meeting had a number of purchases, projects and future projects approved.

Due to the age and condition of the current bus fleet, new buses are needed. The current bus fleet has a 55-65 capacity and do not meet State Certification standards. The district reserved $400,000 for the new purchase of two new 2016 Thomas 82 passenger school buses from BusWest. Both buses will have air conditioning and WiFi.

There was also a request to approve the purchase of two portable classrooms, one for San Cayetano Elementary School and one for Piru Elementary School. They will be installed this winter. Both were specified in the Emergency Repair Program (ERP) funding which was applied for in 2008 and approved. FUSD has been waiting for the funds to become available in Sacramento.

The ERP funding will also upgrade the fire alarm systems and communication systems at both Piru and San Cayetano. The total grant monies to be spent on Piru Elementary is $1,327,349 and at San Cayetano $1,764,393.

The FUSD Deferred Maintenance Fund balance is being used to turn the dirt parking lot area at the Fillmore High School stadium into 80 paved parking spots at a cost of $350,095.

Other upgrades being done are at Rio Vista Elementary School with purchases of furniture, equipment and technology from monies left available ($230,000) after the school was built. This includes flooring which is being repaired under a warranty.

Future projects at Fillmore Middle School will be a counter replacement in the Band Room and termite abatement for Building D& I. Fillmore High School with receive a new quieter air conditioning unit system. The District Office will have upgraded rooms and the School Farm will have the Cattle Barn roofing repaired.

Student Representative/Speaker of the House Hannah Wishart informed the Board of the Associated Student Body's Blood Drive on October 23rd at 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Fillmore High School and that the cheerleaders are selling Breast Cancer Awareness T-Shirts for $14 S-XL, $15 for a 2X and $16 for a 3X. Contact Fillmore High School for more information.

Michael Castro

Story courtesy the Castro Family

The journey began sophomore year for Michael. I sat him down one day and asked what his future plans were? Teenage answer. I don't know dad. I then told him he should start looking into either sports scholarships or try for an academic one. He then said, I think I'm going to join the Military. I was a little shocked at first this had not been brought up before and of course this was NOT on my list of things for him to do after graduating high school. I sat back and thought, well it's only his sophomore year I'm sure he'll get over it. I said well you think about that and we can talk about it later. But every time we did it was the same he was joining the military. He was part of the Navy Seal Challenge that year, he loved it. He began to bring to bring military brochures home he began talking to recruiters and shortly after senior year started he began to go with the Marine recruiters to do physical training. I sat him down once more and asked him what it was he wanted to do after graduation? His answer, I'm Joining the Marines I want to do something that's not just for me. He was part of the Navy Seal Challenge once again. He became more involved with Marines then graduation came, next thing I knew he was off to boot camp!

His journey for a title that few can claim began on Sept. 14, 2015 as a youth he played soccer and then football. In high school he was a football player first and then became a wrestler but he always kept his priorities straight he was passionate about whatever it was he was doing as long as he liked what he was doing he was relentless and would leave everything out on the field to win. He knew going in this would be a challenge unlike anything he had faced before he and all the other young men and women who volunteer to be put through 13 weeks of grueling mental and physical conditioning also know that someday they be called to defend us to put their lives on the line in some foreign country, knowing all that going in they are still willing to raise their hand and swear to protect us. Well there's just no words for that! My son has always been my hero from his first tackle to his last high school wrestling match! Love you Kidd. Always wants to be the best!

The Bardsdale Cemetery District has added a Columbarium as another option for the final resting place of a loved one who has chose cremation. A Columbarium is a structure that contains niches, secured space, for the housing of cremation urns. The Columbarium contains sixty niches. Prior to the addition of the Columbarium families using the Bardsdale Cemetery were only offered In-ground Cremation Urn placement.

Surrounding the Columbarium is an attractive concrete open patio area with four black colored concrete bench seating to accommodate visitors to the Columbarium. The concrete walking area has black pebbled flex placed into the gray concrete. The black design on each side of the Columbarium reflect where future Columbariums would be located if needed. Colorful flowers will be planted at each end of the open patio and maintained by Cemetery staff according to Doug Basolo, Manager of the Bardsdale Cemetery.

The cost for construction of the Columbarium and patio area was approximately $70,000. The patio area can accommodate two additional Columbarium's of the same size for a total build out of 180 niches. Depending on demand for the Columbarium it is estimated that this Columbarium could take ten years to fill all sixty niches.

The cost of the Niche Wall Inurnment at the Columbarium is $1,975 for a single Urn and $2,425 for a double urn in a niche for residents of the Fillmore and Bardsdale area. Non-residents are charged an additional $750. A resident is a person who resides or pays property taxes within the district at time of plot purchase. A non-resident is a person who has a near relative buried in the cemetery; or a near relative of a resident of the district; or a police, fire or military person at time of plot purchase.

Located nearly in the middle of the main portion of the Bardsdale Cemetery the Columbarium was placed strategically there to take advantage of the majestic views of the Santa Clara Valley which are also visible from most areas of the Bardsdale Cemetery. A daily Coastal breeze will be a comfort to visitors sitting near the Columbarium on one of the four concrete bench seating areas.

The Bardsdale Cemetery District Board of Trustees is committed to managing the Bardsdale Cemetery in the most efficient means possible to offer a comfortable and full-service cemetery to those living within the District boundaries. The new Columbarium is just another means to offer residents an option when looking for a final resting place for a loved one.

American Red Cross of Ventura County

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, the American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood to support cancer patients and others needing blood products.

According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the U.S., with one in eight developing invasive breast cancer in her lifetime. Breast cancer patients may need blood products during chemotherapy, mastectomy surgery or treatment of
complications.

Blood donor Mary Thorngate Hall is one such example. She was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in 2010.

"I began treatment (with) my first round of chemotherapy lasting six hours.
My body did not tolerate it, and I began to hemorrhage," she said. "I needed blood to survive. I cannot express my gratitude to the people who donated their lifesaving blood."

Volunteer donors are the only source of blood products for those needing transfusions. Donors with all blood types are needed, especially those with types O negative, B negative, A negative and AB blood.

To make an appointment to donate blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App from app stores or text BLOODAPP to 90999 to receive a download link, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

American Red Cross Donation Center

American Red Cross Woodland Hills Donation Center
6338 Variel Ave.
Woodland Hills, Calif. 91367

Monday and Tuesday: 12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Friday: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Saturday: 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Additional blood donation opportunities:

Camarillo
10/26/2015: 10 a.m. - 4:15 p.m., Santa Cruz Village, 1 University Drive
10/28/2015: 10 a.m. - 4:15 p.m., Santa Cruz Village, 1 University Drive

Oak Park
10/27/2015: 8:30 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Oak Park High School, 899 North Kanan Road

Oxnard
10/21/2015: 9 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Oxnard College, 4000 S Rose Ave
10/22/2015: 8:30 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Oxnard High School, 3400 W Gonzales Rd

Simi Valley
10/17/2015: 9 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Simi Valley Rancho Santa Suzanna Community,
5005 E Los Angeles Ave
10/23/2015: 1 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Rancho Santa Suzanna Community Center, 5005-C Los Angeles Ave
10/30/2015: 1 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Simi Valley Rancho Santa Suzanna Community,
5005 E Los Angeles Ave

Thousand Oaks
10/19/2015: 9 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Xirrus, 2101 Corporate Center Drive
10/21/2015: 1 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W Thousand Oaks Blvd
10/26/2015: 1 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W Thousand Oaks Blvd
10/28/2015: 1 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W Thousand Oaks Blvd
10/30/2015: 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Thousand Oaks High School, 2323 N Moorpark Rd

Ventura
10/20/2015: 1 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Ventura City Hall, 501 Poli 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 California), 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.

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 visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

The Diaz family, Richard and Carolyn, with US Navy Chief Phillip Diaz, and his sisters Arron Diaz and Julia Fitzgibbons (Diaz).
Enlarge Photo

United States Navy Chief, Phillip Diaz, was promoted to Chief Petty Officer (ITC E-7) on September 16, 2015 during an official Navy Pinning Ceremony in San Diego, California. In attendance were his proud parents, Richard and Carolyn Diaz, Sisters Arron Diaz and Julia Fitzgibbons (Diaz), Uncle Michael Diaz and Aunt Karen Diaz. Richard and Carolyn had the honor of pinning on Chief Diaz's Navy Chief Anchors to his uniform shirt lapels.

Chief Diaz, 29 years old, is a 2004 Fillmore High School Graduate. All of Chief Diaz's education was within the Fillmore Unified School District attending K-5 at Piru Elementary School, 6-8 at Fillmore Middle School having been part of the first 6th Grade Class to enter the Middle School. He went on to attend FHS where he played baseball and and football, graduating in 2004! Chief Diaz was also active in the Bardsdale United Methodist Church, and local 4H Clubs where he had the honor, at age 9, of having his pig "Tomasina" being selected as the Grand Champion at the Ventura County Fair.

Chief Diaz began his career in the Navy on October 31, 2005 attending his basic training at the Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois where he graduated in the top ten percent of his class receiving a meritorious promotion to Seaman Apprentice E-2. Chief Diaz's job specialty is Information Technology. In addition to his current instructor assignment at the Center For Information Dominance, Point Loma, San Diego, Chief Diaz was previously assigned to the U.S.S. McFaul (DDG 74), an Arleigh Burke class of guided missile Destroyer in Norfolk, Virginia. And, at the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Expeditionary Support Unit-2 (EODESU-2), in Little Creek, Virginia. Chief Diaz has been on three deployments; two to the Persian Gulf aboard the U.S.S. McFaul and in Afghanistan with the EODESU2, prior to his assignment in San Diego as an instructor.

On August 24, 2008, while assigned on the U.S.S. McFaul, the McFaul was to first United States Vessel to arrived in Batumi, Georgia, as part of Operation Assured Delivery to "deliver humanitarian relief supplies, as part of the larger United States response to the government of Georgia request for humanitarian assistance" in the wake of the 2008 South Ossetia war. The McFaul offloaded nearly 155,000 pounds of supplies—including hygiene items, baby food and care supplies, bottled water, and milk.

Chief Diaz has received numerous awards during his Naval service. According to Chief Diaz, "I am ready to be a Navy Chief! I look forward to guiding the sailors under my command to some day being successful as future Navy Chiefs!" Chief Diaz will remain at his current assignment for the next 1 1/2 years, but after that he will serve "At the convenience of the Navy!" Chief Diaz hopes to spend more time in San Diego, but is excited to serve where the Navy needs him.

The citizens of the Santa Clara Valley are proud of Chief Diaz's service, congratulate him on his promotion. We thank Chief Diaz for his service and sacrifice to maintain the freedoms all of us enjoy as American citizens. Chief Diaz is truly an American Hero!