On Christmas Eve at my mom’s house, I met an incredible young lady who my nephew had invited for the holiday. She came from Indiana and had gotten her nursing degree there. Anxious to leave Indiana she ventured out and signed up to be a traveling nurse, something I had never heard of. It’s where you go from clinic to clinic anywhere in the United States as needed from 8 to 16 weeks at a time, wherever needed.

Well her first adventure was at a clinic in New Mexico at a Navajo Indian reservation. She had been there only one week when I met her. She shared with us the poverty she saw all around her. No electricity, no running water, shacks for homes, and many homeless but what really sadden her heart were families coming into the clinic who had no food to feed their families much less a Christmas dinner and definitely no toy’s for their children. Also seeing them in the same clothes day after day really broke her heart.

I thought you’ve come to the right place. My sister Cyndie and I are always stashing old clothes and stuff throughout the year in our family barn, to have huge yard sales in the summer. We were both off work the week after Christmas, pondering what we were going to do that week. We looked at each other and said, “Let’s go to New Mexico!”

So we gathered up all the clothes and toys. Cyndie went to Rite Aid and Vallarta’s grocery store in Newhall and they donated their 75%-off toys, cupcakes, cookies, 12 jars of spaghetti sauce and 12 packages of spaghetti. We loaded up my sister’s SUV which has a trailer shelf on the back. With our luggage on the top and boxes and bags filled beyond capacity, off we went; Cyndie, her husband Max, my great niece (age 12) , my great nephew (age 10), my 78 year old mother and myself.

On the trip over we had stuff under our feet in the car, on our laps, stuff stuck in any corner we could to make it all fit. It took us 12 hours to get there, driving all night depending on our GPS to lead the way. Arriving at 3 a.m. we stayed with our new friend Sasha (the nurse).

The next morning we met with a pastor of a nearby church on the reservation. We really hadn’t thought of how we were going to distribute the goods, so we figured it out as we went. We set up tables for serving spaghetti, bread and bottled water. In another room we set up tables for them to shop. My niece and nephew starting cooking the spaghetti and we accomplished setting up a store. With only one day notice we had 100 people show up. We fed them and then let all the children go through and pick a toy for themselves. Then we let the parents go through and shop for their needs.

It was like when Jesus fed the multitudes, we had no idea how far the goods would go. But it all turned out to be exactly enough. The people were so grateful and were amazed that there were people who would come from far, just to give to them! With all the smiles, hugs and heartfelt gratitude it was amazing what we got out of doing such a deed. Our cups runneth over! It was an amazing trip!

The next day we had a guide take us through the Canyon of Chilly, a National Monument. Our guide shared with us the history of their Navajo tribe and many folklore stories and traditions. When we returned our hostess had her Indian neighbors come over to teach us how to make Indian fry bread and have a feast. They also came bearing handmade gifts for us and showed us their jewelry they make of turquoise and beads. We played games around the livingroom floor and laughed until our sides hurt.

The next morning we packed up our not-so-over packed SUV and headed for home.

As I reflect on our trip I find myself smiling and savoring the memories that were made with our new friends. With only one day notice to pull this off, can you imagine what we could do if we had more time to plan? Well maybe we’ll find out next year. If anyone asked me, “What did you do on your Christmas vacation?” I’d have to say, “Wow! What an adventure we had!” I wonder what my next adventure is?!

Phillips was arrested for allegedly pointing a laser at a Sheriff’s helicopter. Laser beams directed at any aircraft in flight, specifically during nighttime operations where crewmembers are aided by night vision goggles, have the potential to put the safety of crewmembers at risk. Discharging a laser at an aircraft is a felony.

On 12-27-2011, at approximately 8:40 p.m., Ventura County sheriff’s deputies responded to a call of shots fired in the 500 block of Central Avenue in Fillmore. Sheriff’s deputies requested the assistance of the Sheriff’s Aviation Unit in an attempt to search for the gunman who fled from the scene of the shooting.

Members of the Sheriff’s Aviation Unit launched Air Squad 9 from the Camarillo Airport to assist in the search for the gunman. Air Squad 9 was manned by a sheriff’s pilot, sheriff’s crew chief, and by a Ventura County firefighter/paramedic. When they arrived on the scene of the shooting, the crew of Air Squad 9 utilized night vision goggles to assist in the search for the gunman.

While conducting the search, the crew was subjected to a laser being directed at the helicopter. Laser beams directed at any aircraft in flight, specifically during nighttime operations where crewmembers are aided by night vision goggles, have the potential to put the safety of crewmembers at risk. When a laser beam is directed at a subject utilizing night vision goggles, the subject can experience serious eye damage, whiteout conditions and disorientation because the night vision goggles do not have the ability to compensate for higher levels of light generated by a laser beam. Discharging a laser at an aircraft is a felony.

The crew of Air Squad 9 continued their search for the gunman involved in the shooting when they were subjected to a laser being directed at the helicopter a second time. The crewmembers were able to pinpoint the house where the laser beam was coming from, but they were unable to make contact with the occupants at that time. As a result of the laser incident, the crew of Air Squad 9 could not safely complete the flight and had to return to the Camarillo Airport.

On 12-28-11, members of the Sheriff’s Gang Unit began assisting in the investigation of the incident. They arrested Torrey Phillips at his residence in the 600 block of Fernglen Circle for an outstanding felony warrant. When Phillips was arrested, he was found to be in possession of a green laser pointer. As a result of their investigation, gang unit investigators found that Phillips pointed the laser beam at the sheriff’s helicopter on two different occasions on 12-27-11 while the helicopter was assisting in the search for the gunman.

Phillips was booked into the Ventura County Jail for discharging a laser at an aircraft and for felony warrants.

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Fillmore Fire Department responded to an unknown type explosion 118 B St. (Convalescent Center). upon arrival Fillmore Fire Chief met with facility staff and was briefed on what they believed was an explosion that appeared to have originated from the roof area. Fillmore fire personnel laddered the building and check for damage to roof area. Fire personnel used their gas monitor and checked the area and building for any gas leaks. No leaks could be found. Gas company was called out to this location and met with Fillmore fire Chief and briefed. No injuries to report and no evacuation of facility was necessary.

Fillmore Fire Chief, Fillmore Engine 91, Squad 91, Quint 91, Engine 191 and MRE 27 responded to this incident.

Being the first baby born in Ventura County in the New Year is an honor. And this year the honor went to Jayden Bernal and his parents Joshua Bernal and Angela Bustos, both of Fillmore.

Jayden was born at 12:02 a.m., Sunday, at Santa Paula Hospital. He arrived a few days ahead of schedule, weighing in at 6 pounds 4 ounces, 20 inches long.

Jayden’s paternal grandfather, Ramiro Bernal said it’s a good sign that he is the first baby to be born this year.

Congratulations to the Bernal-Bustos families.

The Fillmore Gazette is offering a reward of $300 for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the losers who plastered graffiti around town last week. The Gazette previoulsy offered $200 and a concerned citizen added $100 to the reward. Anyone wanting to contribute to the Graffiti Reward fund can visit the Gazette with your name, phone number and amount to be contributed upon arrest and conviction. Thank You.

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Henry "Hank" Data was born in 1916. As a young man leaving the U.S. Navy after World War II, Hank found there were no jobs to be. However Florine, hank's wife, had an uncle named Otto Jones who, with his brother, owned Jones brothers Pontiac in Fillmore and Hank was in the car business.

At 31 years of age, the youngest in his class, Hank took advantage of the G.I. benefits he had coming and was off to the General Motors Institute in Flint Michigan to begin his training as a parts and service manager. He returned to Jones brothers as a genuine GM parts manager, a position he was to hold until 1961 when the Jones brother kids became old enough to take his job. It was then that Wm. L. Morris II hired.

Hank at the Santa Paula location. Bill Jr was the boss but poppers would be there everyday and noticed Hank because of his turning off of un needed lights at the dealership. This got Hank on his good side.
In 1973 when offered a position at the Moorpark location, hank declined citing Grime’s Canyon twice a day as a main hurdle. So, he landed in Fillmore where he worked until his retirement in 1986 with a few returns to "break in a new guy" when called upon by Mr. Morris.

Hank was enlisted and valued greatly as an inventory specialist. Hank worked for over 4 decades in the parts business and 3 of those for Wm. L. Morris Chevrolet Oldsmobile. He is truly our "Employee of the Century".

SACRAMENTO, CA. – An adult male in his late 30’s is the first reported fatality linked to influenza for this influenza season, Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the California Department of Public Health and state public health officer, announced today.

“This death is a somber reminder that the flu can be a serious and even deadly disease,” Chapman said. “I encourage Californians to get their flu vaccine to help protect themselves and their families.”

The seasonal flu vaccine is recommended for everyone over 6 months of age and includes protection against the H1N1 strain. It is particularly important for people at high risk of complications, including pregnant women, people with chronic diseases such as diabetes, children and older adults to be vaccinated. Chapman urged Californians to get their flu shot today if they have not done so already. In addition, the nasal spray flu vaccine is available for healthy individuals ages two through 49 who are not pregnant.

Statewide surveillance shows that influenza activity remains low in California. Typically, influenza peaks between January and March. According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu-associated deaths nationwide range from an estimated 3,000 to 49,000 annually.

“Since the flu season can last through May, it is not too late to get a flu vaccine,” Chapman said. “There is plenty of flu vaccine available.”

Get more information about flu and find a flu vaccine clinic near you. www.cdph.ca.gov