The Ventura County civil Grand Jury is now accepting applications for new jurors for 2013-14. Applications are available at our Open House on February 6, from 3-6 pm, at 646 County Square Drive, Ventura. This is an excellent opportunity to learn what Grand Jury service consists of, view the chambers, and enjoy some refreshments, too.

The Grand Jury is an investigatory body created for the protection of society and the enforcement of the law. Its goal is to ensure government agencies within our County are doing their best to serve the public in a cost-effective manner. If you have ever wondered about how you might contribute to your County, now is your chance to participate.

To get more details about the mission of the Grand Jury, and to view previous years’ reports, please visit our website: http://grandjury.county of ventura.org. If you are interested in serving on the 2013-14 Grand Jury, please note that applications can also be filled out on-line and will be accepted until April 15, 2013. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please call us at 805-477-1600.

The Grand Jury is available for speaking engagements throughout the County. If you would like to request a speaker for your organization, please contact: Judith Cohen at 805-477-1600.

On Tuesday, January 22, 2013 the Fillmore Ebell Ladies will be entertained by the AHH! Chorus. the Agoura Hills Harmony Chorus is a chapter of Sweet Adelines, Intl. one of the worlds largest singing organizations for women. They are dedicated to the creation of harmony and enrichment of the lives of its members through friendship, education, community involvement and musical excellence in performance of the barbershop art form.

The AHH! chorus is a spirited group of women who love to sing. Their mission is to share their joy and preserve the art form of four-part a-Capella singing.

If you would like to attend the luncheon meeting please call Glenda DeJarnette at 805-524-4949. Lunch begins at 12:30pm and the cost is $12.00

Ventura, CA - The Ventura County Fair has announced that the annual Fair poster contest will be held for the 2013 Ventura County Fair. The contest is open to young artists in grades 5 - 12 who reside in Ventura County.

The theme of the 2013 Fair is “Boots, Barns and Banjos” and will serve as the guideline to the imagery. Artwork may be created in any medium but may not be 3 dimensional and must not use glitter or metallic paint.

Poster designs will be judged on Theme, Originality, Composition and Skill. Entries will be accepted from February 1 until April 1. Entry deadline is Monday, April 1.

Rules, deadlines and other information can be found on the Fair website, www.venturacountyfair.org. For more information about the contest call 648-3376 x 110 or send an email to info@venturacountyfair.org. (Please put “Contest” in the subject line)

Prizes will be awarded to the top three entries, First prize: $500, Second Prize: $250, Third Prize: $100

The winning design will be used to advertise the Fair on Fair posters, souvenirs, advertisements and other applications. Second and third place winners will also be used in various applications. All contestants entries will be displayed in the Youth Expo at the Ventura County Fair.

The Ventura County Fair will begin its annual 12-day run Wednesday, July 31 and continue until Sunday, August 11.

For more information about the Fair, or the poster contest, please call the Ventura County Fairgrounds at 648-3376 or visit www.venturacountyfair.org. Keep up to date when you Like us on Facebook

On, Wednesday, January 9th, the officers and board members of the Heritage Valley Tourism Bureau held their first meeting of 2013 at Orange Rush Cafe, (formerly Mr. Good Lunch), in the William L. Morris Car Dealership showroom. The meeting was also the first presided over by newly elected president, Kevin Keehl, who welcomed the opportunity to lead the board in 2013. Keehl is the owner/operator of Piru MX and a member of the Piru Neighborhood Council. Another new face on the board of directors was Rick Neal, newly appointed liaison from the City of Fillmore and newly elected City Councilman and Mayor. Other board members present were Cindy Jackson, Immediate Past President representing Sespe Creek Stables and CJ Financial; Talia Wunder, Board Director representing The Best of VC Marketplace, also the liaison and Tourism chair of the Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce; Ron Lewis, Board Director and Parliamentarian and President of the Santa Clara River Valley Railroad Historical Society and Fillmore member-at-large; Rosa Martel, Board Secretary and liaison from the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce; Maria Christopher, Rancho Camulos Museum; Jim Mendrala, Board Director representing Santa Clara River Valley Railroad Historical Society; Donna Stewart, Board Director and owner/operator of the Santa Paula Inn; Kathleen McCreary, Board Director representing Fillmore & Western Railway and office staff for the HVTB; Kathy Long, Board Director and Ventura County Supervisor, District 3, representing the unincorporated areas of the Heritage Valley. Board Secretary, Jeanne Orcutt representative for the California Oil Museum was unable to attend.

Business discussed was forming a committee to review the 2013 budget and based on findings, bringing it back to the board for revision, also clarification of the by-laws as they pertain to term limits for directors and officers. In addition, several board members will meet to review and suggest revisions to create a more inclusive and larger HVTB brochure that would include more of the growing membership businesses and organizations. There were committee and member reports and a discussion regarding the bureau's outreach to both Chambers of Commerce in the valley in cooperation with Supervisor Long to spearhead a workshop with the Ventura County Environmental Health Department and event/festival planners.

The HVTB holds board meetings, with a no-host lunch, every other month, and locations were decided for the remainder of 2013. The meetings rotate between the communities of Piru, Fillmore and Santa Paula. Membership is open to individuals and/or businesses, non-profits, for profits, anyone who is interested in helping the bureau to attract more tourists to the Heritage Valley. The tourism office is located at the east end of Fillmore's downtown Central Park, at 364 Main Street. We welcome locals and visitors to stop in, browse the brochure racks for information on local and regional attractions, museums, restaurants, festivals and many other interesting venues. Office hours are Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm, occasionally closed for tourism meetings offsite and lunch. Be a tourist in your own backyard, visit the bureau, explore the valley.

Miranda Alexis Alonzo
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Evan Alan Hobson
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Vision 2020, Civic Pride Committee recognized the two youngest sponsors of our downtown Central Avenue pot refurbishing project, with certificates of appreciation.

Miranda Alexis Alonzo and Evan Alan Hobson are friends that both attend Sacred Heart School in Ventura.

Miranda said that she has lots of friends at Sacred Heart & loves the school. It is the “best” school that she’s ever been to & she is getting a good education. When Miranda was asked about why she chose to be involved in the pot replanting project, she said that she wanted to show appreciation for the Fillmore community. She thinks that Fillmore is such a “pretty place” and wanted to help make it even prettier. “If ever someone wanted to live in a beautiful place, they should come & look around here”, stated Miranda.

Evan Hobson, 9 years old & Miranda’s classmate, spoke about enjoying his school also, especially math, science and social studies. He would like to be a dancer or an artist when he “grows up”. When Evan was asked about being a sponsor for the Central Avenue project, he said he “wanted to have flowers that would look beautiful in Fillmore.”

Our community can be proud that we have such great young people growing up in Fillmore, who are serious about their school studies and taking an active interest in beautifying their hometown!

VENTURA COUNTY, CA - The nation’s widespread outbreak of the flu has caused an increase in flu cases in California and a sudden surge in demand for the flu vaccine in Ventura County. Ventura County’s Public Health (VCPH) Department reports that the phones have been busier than normal with people calling in to find out where and when they can get a flu shot.

According to a report received today from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), flu levels in California are now significantly higher than what is normally expected this time of year. Over the past week, flu levels across the state have jumped up by ten percent.

“This year’s vaccine is a good match for the flu strains that are circulating so we encourage everyone who has not yet been vaccinated to get a flu shot now and protect themselves.” said Dr. Paul Russell, Deputy Health Officer for Ventura County Public Health. “It is especially important for those who are the most vulnerable to be vaccinated - the very young, very old and those with chronic illness.”

Ventura County Public Health clinics are offering flu vaccines for people of all ages on a first come, first served basis during normal business hours at their four Public Health clinic locations. Hours are 8:30 – 11:30 am and 1 – 4:30 PM and shots are offered on the days indicated:

1. South Oxnard Public Health
Centerpoint Mall
2500 South C St. Suite B-1, Oxnard
Monday – Friday

2. North Oxnard Public Health
2240 E. Gonzalez Rd., Suite 140, Oxnard
Tues. & Thurs.

3. Ventura Public Health CONTINUED »

Persons interested in serving on the City of Fillmore Park and Recreation Commission are invited to submit an application to the City by Friday, February 8, 2013 at 4 p.m.

The Parks and Recreation Commission serves at the pleasure of the city council. The Park and Recreation Commission services the community by providing and overseeing parks, buildings and recreation programs. The Parks and recreation Commission have an active role in the recreation changes that are needed for the citizens of Fillmore. The Park and recreation Commission generally meets the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. Monthly meetings last approximately one hour. Two seats on the commission will be appointed to a four-year terms ending in January 2017. At that time, the commissioners could re-apply to continue service on the commission.

Those interested in being appointed to the Park and Recreation Commission are invited to submit an application to the City Clerk’s Office, Fillmore City Hall, 250 Central Avenue, Fillmore, CA. 93015.

Applications are available in the lobby at Fillmore City Hall or may be found at the City's website at www.fillmoreca.com/docs/cag.pdf . Applications must be received by Friday, February 8, 2013 at 5 p.m.
Appointments to the Park and Recreation Commission will be made by the Mayor following an interview and recommendation by the City Council Interview/Selection Committee.

For further information on the application process please call the City Clerk’s Office at 524-1500, extension 214.

CAMARILLO, CA - The Ventura County Community Foundation will offer office space to emerging nonprofits in the new VCCF Nonprofit Center in Camarillo at a fraction of current market rate.

Eligibility criteria and an application form to become a tenant in the new Grassroots Office Suite are posted on vccf.org, with applications due Jan. 31.

VCCF has set aside permanently 1,155 square feet in the recently opened VCCF Nonprofit Center, 4001 Mission Oaks Blvd., for three to five emergent charities. Qualifying organizations will receive a 33 percent discount over current market rate.

The goal of the Grassroots CONTINUED »

Santa Clara Valley Disposal will maintain its regular Friday trash and recyclables collection schedule in Fillmore on Jan. 25, during the week of Martin Luther King Jr.

For more information, call 647-1414.

Ventura County Community Gems member, Sarah Hansen, received a certificate of appreciation for her group, from Fillmore’s Vision 2020, Civic Pride Committee for their sponsorship of two replanted pots along Central Avenue. Sarah Hansen had suggested the sponsorship to her group and later, brought them to Fillmore for a special dinner & tour of the Fillmore Historical Museum.

The Ventura County Community Gems group is an “off shoot” of a group in Ventura called “Jewelia”. Jewelia was begun several years ago by a group of friends who decided to make a purchase, together, of a diamond necklace which was then shared by each woman getting to wear the necklace on her birthday and for special occasions.

The Ventura County Community Gems group was begun in 2011 by Priscilla VanGundy to give special recognition to a woman that has served her community well. The VCCG group selects women who are nominated from communities through out the county. These women get to wear a diamond necklace for one month of the year as they represent their community. The 12 women in the group meet monthly to decide on fundraising and to get better acquainted and to help each other.

Recently a flurry of activity has been going on at the Ojai Valley Community Hospital. That’s because the initial phase of modernizing the 52-year old hospital has begun.

A new roof, and new air conditioning and heating units, have been installed as a part of a plan to bring the hospital into compliance with state-mandated earthquake safety standards. Besides meeting these safety standards, the new heating and air units are a long-anticipated improvement that staff, patients and visitors alike will certainly appreciate as Ojai Valley temperatures routinely dip in the winter and heat up again come summertime.

Inside, the hospital’s 4-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) was remodeled. New flooring, an improved staff work station, and ceiling braces were installed in the 1,630-square-foot ICU. These enhancements will help the hospital meet seismic laws through 2030.

In the coming years, Ojai residents will see many changes at the 37-bed hospital and its adjacent 66-bed Continuing Care Center, as Community Memorial Health System moves forward with its facility master plan to modernize these two facilities. The next phase of the master plan is a major remodel of the hospital’s façade—the first such undertaking since OVCH was built in 1960.

One of the most important projects to be undertaken will be improvements to the 66-bed skilled nursing facility. The health system is exploring the best solution for our Continuing Care Center, a facility that provides inpatient programs and therapy treatments for both short- and long-term placement.

VENTURA COUNTY, CA. – On the weekend of Dec. 7-9, Oxnard’s newest outdoor shopping and dining destination, The Collection, hosted a weekend full of camaraderie, goodwill and holiday cheer for the first annual Can Tree Collection drive in support of Ventura County FOOD Share’s Holiday Tackle Hunger campaign.

The sidewalks adjacent to the site where Ventura County’s first Whole Foods Market will be situated were adorned with almost 60 can trees – Christmas trees built with 800 cans of food – as well as a 14-foot can tree constructed with 10,000 cans of food, built and collected by local businesses, community leaders and attendees of the event. Wrapping up the event weekend, more than 57,000 pounds of food were collected, as well as $13,500 in monetary donations.

FOOD Share collects food year-round and through Super Bowl Sunday on Feb. 3, the regional food bank that feeds more than 74,500 people per month is hosting its annual Holiday Tackle Hunger Campaign. During Tackle Hunger, FOOD Share hopes to collect more than $150,000 in monetary donations and 200,000 pounds of donated food to help restock the shelves of their Oxnard warehouse distribution center.

“We are very CONTINUED »

You can make an immeasurable difference to a patient and their family by volunteering just a few hours a week. Providing relief to caregivers, visiting with patients, and running errands are just a few of the ways volunteers can help. The focus is on learning new communication skills, exploring issues of grief and loss, sharing views of spirituality and understanding concepts of end of life care. Our training begins Wednesday, January 30, from 9:30 AM -12:30 PM and continues for 8 consecutive Wednesdays. Classes are held at Livingston Memorial VNA & Hospice, 1996 Eastman Ave, Suite 101, Ventura. For more information contact Maddy Hazard; 642-0239x775; mhazard@lmvna.org

SACRAMENTO, CA - Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today announced that the California Homeowner Bill of Rights, a landmark package of legislation that extends key mortgage and foreclosure protections to California homeowners and borrowers, will take effect on January 1, 2013.

The new laws restrict dual-track foreclosures, guarantee struggling homeowners a reliable point of contact at their lender and impose civil penalties on fraudulently signed mortgage documents. In addition, homeowners may require loan servicers to document their right to foreclose.

“For too long, struggling homeowners in California have been denied fairness and transparency when dealing with their lending institutions,” said Attorney General Harris. “These laws give homeowners new rights as they work through the foreclosure process and will give Californians a fair opportunity to stay in their homes.”

Governor Jerry Brown CONTINUED »

The University of California Hansen Agricultural Research and Extension Center (UC HAREC) supports Ventura County agriculture through research and education efforts. Volunteers play a vital role in education outreach and are integral in achieving our mission. We are currently recruiting volunteers for our youth development programs. Join a dedicated group of individuals who share a passion for agriculture and enjoy working with youth of all ages.

Interested individuals may attend an informational meeting in the Small Barn at UC HAREC —Wednesday, January 16th, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. or Thursday, January 17th, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The Center is located at 14292 W. Telegraph Rd. in Santa Paula (corner of Briggs Rd. and Telegraph Rd). Please use Briggs Rd. main entrance. Free parking available.

To reserve a spot call or email by January 15th— 805-525-9293 ext. 206 or awfaris@ucanr.edu. Walk-ins also welcome.

For more information about our youth development programs visit our website at: http://ucanr.edu/sites/hansenagcenter/Hansen_Agricultural_Center_Program...