HO! HO! HO! The SANTA TRAIN is coming! To experience one of Southern California’s most unique arrivals of Santa introducing the Christmas Season this year, bring your family to one of four stops along the route in Ventura County. Santa will be riding the rails from Montalvo in East Ventura to Fillmore on Saturday night, November 24, 2012. Come one, Come All, Greet Santa as he stops in your neighborhood. Santa will be riding aboard the Fillmore & Western Railway Co. Santa Train, powered by a Baldwin 1913 vintage steam locomotive, the #14. This year the train is sponsored by the California Locomotive Preserve, a 501 C3, nonprofit organization and several other generous Ventura County businesses and organizations including The Rotary Club of Fillmore, OST, Fillmore Volunteer Fire Fighter Foundation, Ventura County Sheriff’s Association, the Ventura County Transportation Commission and Metrolink. Santa’s first stop will be at the Montalvo Metrolink Platform in East Ventura at 5:00pm. After a 20 minute visit with children and their families, the train will continue east and stop about 300 feet east of the Bristol Street & Montgomery Street (Northbank pedestrian crossing) intersection at approximately 5:30pm for a 30 minute visit. Next stop at approximately 6:10pm will be in Saticoy at Alelia Street until approx. 6:40pm. Santa will distribute goodies from our sponsors to children at every stop, and asks kids of every age to bring their “Christmas Wish Lists” to fill his mailbag.

The “Santa Train” will CONTINUED »

A community book club!
Everyone welcome!

Date: Thursday, November 29, 2012
Time: 7pm Location: Fillmore Library
Book: The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society
Author: Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
Questions: Cathy Krushell 805.524.3355

Sponsored by:
Soroptimist International of Fillmore & Friends of the Fillmore Library

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The holiday season is a special time of year. It is also a time when busy people are often preoccupied, and may become the target of criminals.

A little bit of awareness can go a long way to prevent being the victim of criminal activity. We encourage you to share this information with family, friends, and neighbors.

Holiday Tips At Home
• Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave the house, even for a few minutes.
• When leaving home for an extended time, have a neighbor or family member watch your house and pick up your newspapers and mail.
• Indoor and outdoor lights should be on an automatic timer.
• Leave a radio or television on so the house looks and sounds occupied.
• Large displays of holiday gifts should not be visible through the windows and doors of your home.
• When setting up a Christmas tree or other holiday display, make sure doors and passageways are clear inside your home.
• Be sure your CONTINUED »

Ventura, CA - VISTA bus riders are used to connectivity from stop to stop; and soon, that connectivity will merge with the information superhighway. Free wireless Internet has been activated, the Ventura County Transportation Commission announced during their last Commission meeting in Camarillo.

“We are very excited to offer this much-requested popular service, which can make your commute not just enjoyable, but highly productive as well,” noted VCTC Executive Director Darren Kettle. “This is a tremendous benefit for riders, who can now stay connected with family, friends, news, and information, while riding.”

Free wireless Internet will be available starting Tuesday, November 20. A password is not needed to access the onboard network. All 30 buses in the new VISTA fleet will be equipped with wireless Internet.

For more information regarding the VISTA bus, visit www.goventura.org or call (800) 438-1112.

As many of you know, a portion of MHSA funds were held at the State level for 'initiative-specific' Statewide Projects. These projects include Suicide Prevention, Stigma Reduction and School-based MH Initiatives.

We want to make you aware of the state-wide media campaign focused on Suicide Prevention that is being launched this month through the CalMHSA Statewide Prevention & Early Intervention efforts. The Know the Signs campaign will be publicized in magazines, online, on billboards, television and cable channels between November and February 2013 and will reach every county throughout the State of California.

The campaign is intended to prepare the public to prevent suicide by directing them to the website: www.suicideispreventable.org and encouraging the public to know the warning signs for suicide, find the words to offer help to someone they are concerned about, and reach out to local resources.

The local resources that are listed on the website for Ventura County include: The Ventura County Crises Team, Children's Intensive Response Team (CIRT) and 211. In addition, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, which is coordinated out of Los Angeles is also listed as a resource.

We will continue to keep you informed as additional components to the Statewide Projects are implemented. As always, thank you for your continued support and dedication to the community we all serve.

Susan Kelly, MFT
Ventura County Behavioral Health
Youth & Family and Prevention & Early Intervention Division Manager

Cal Fire

Sacramento, CA – With the Thanksgiving holiday just days away, CAL FIRE is reminding Californians about the dangers that home fires pose during the holiday season. Holidays are a time of food, fun and festivities; but they are also a time to be extra cautious as thousands of home fires across the nation are caused from holiday cooking.

The kitchen is the heart of the home, especially during the holidays, but it is also where most fires start. Cooking is the leading cause of fires in homes. It is important to be especially alert of your cooking activities when your family and guests are around.

“Thanksgiving Day is often the day of the year when we respond to the most home cooking fires,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, CAL FIRE Director. “It’s really important that everyone practice a little extra fire safety this Thanksgiving to help prevent a cooking fire.”

To help reduce the chance of fire and injuries associated with holiday cooking fires, CAL FIRE would like to offer the following tips:

Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stove. Never leave cooking food on the stove unattended.
If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
Food preparation and cooking should always be supervised by an adult.
When using a turkey fryer, be sure to follow instructions closely. Don’t exceed the recommended oil level and only use the device outdoors!
Make sure a fire extinguisher is handy at all times. Never use water to put out a grease fire.
Ensure that smoke alarms are installed and working.

Watch this short video from CAL FIRE for some more tips on cooking safety at http://www.youtube.com/v/f6msytP37fk. or visit www.fire.ca.gov.

". . . it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor . . . . that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be . . . and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions . .
."
George Washington 1789

"As the safety and prosperity of nations ultimately and essentially depend on the protection and blessing of Almighty God; and the national acknowledgment of this truth is not only an indispensable duty which the people owe Him, but a duty whose natural influence is favorable to the promotion of the morality and piety, without which social happiness cannot exist, nor the blessings of a free government be enjoyed . . ."
". . . of his infinite Grace, through the redeemer of the world, freely to remit all our offenses, and to incline us, by his holy spirit, to that sincere repentance and reformation which may afford us reason to hope for his inestimable favor and heavenly benediction . . ."
". . . the duties of humiliation and prayer be accompanied by fervent Thanksgiving to the bestower of every good gift . . ."
John Adams 1798

"Whereas it becomes us humbly to approach the throne of Almighty God, with gratitude and praise . . . the glorious light of the gospel, whereby, through the merits of our gracious Redeemer, we may become the heirs of his eternal glory. Therefore Resolved . . . a day of public and solemn THANKSGIVING to Almighty God, for his mercies, and of PRAYER, for the continuance of this favor and protection to these United States . . . and spread the light of christian knowledge through the remotest corners of the earth... That he would in mercy look down upon us, pardon all our sins, and receive us into his favor; and finally, that he would establish the independence of these United States upon the basis of religion and virtue .
. ."
Thomas Jefferson (then Governor) 1779

"To these bounties,!--break--> which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the Source from which they come, others have been added which are so extraordinary in nature that they can not fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God."
"No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy."
"To set apart . . . a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens."
Abraham Lincoln 1863, 1864

"I, Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, do hereby recommend . .
. a day of national thanksgiving to the Creator of the Universe for these great deliverances and blessings. And I do further recommend that on that occasion the whole people make confession of our national sins against His infinite goodness, and with one heart and one mind implore the divine guidance in the ways of national virtue and holiness."
". . . by whose everwatchful, merciful, and gracious providence alone states and nations, no less than families and individual men, do live and move and have their being."
Andrew Johnson, 1865 -1868

"It becomes a people thus favored to make acknowledgment to the Supreme Author from whom such blessings flow of their gratitude and their dependence, to render praise and thanksgiving for the same, and devoutly to implore a continuance of God's mercies."
". . . public worship and to unite in the homage and praise due to the bountiful Father of All Mercies and in fervent prayer for the continuance of the manifold blessings he has vouchsafed to us as a people."
Ulysses S. Grant, 1869

". . . the sentiments of sympathy and Christian charity by virtue of which we are one united people. . . . as a day of thanksgiving and praise to Him who holds the nations in the hollow of His hand. I recommend that they gather in their several places of worship and devoutly give Him thanks for the prosperity wherewith He has endowed us. . ."
William McKinley, 1900

". . .that our hearts may be roused to war steadfastly for good and against all the forces of evil, public and private. We pray for strength and light, so that in the coming years we may with cleanliness, fearlessness, and wisdom, do our allotted work on the earth in such manner as to show that we are not altogether unworthy of the blessings we have received."
"We speak of what has been done by this nation in no spirit of boastfulness or vainglory, but with full and reverent realization that our strength is as nothing unless we are helped from above."
". . . our people should set apart a day for praise and thanksgiving to the Giver of Good, and at the same time that they express their thankfulness for the abundant mercies received should manfully acknowledge their shortcomings and pledge themselves solemnly and in good faith to strive to overcome them."
". . . in material well-being we have thus abounded, we owe it to the Almighty to show equal progress in moral and spiritual things."
"Nowhere else in the world is there such an opportunity for a free people to develop to the fullest extent all its powers of body, of mind, and of that which stands above body and mind - character. Much has been given us from on high, and much will rightly be expected of us in return."
Theodore Roosevelt, 1903 -1908

"Our country has many causes for thanksgiving. We have been blest with distinctive evidence of divine favor."
Herbert Hoover, 1930

"More greatly have we turned our hearts and minds to things spiritual. We can truly say, 'What profiteth it a nation if it gain the whole world and lose its own soul?' With gratitude in our hearts for what has already been achieved, may we, with the help of God, dedicate ourselves anew to work for the betterment of mankind."
"In our deepest natures, in our very souls, we, like all mankind since the earliest origin of mankind, turn to God in time of trouble and in time of happiness. 'In God We Trust.'"
Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1934-38

"Again I ask all my countrymen to appeal to the Most High, that the God of our Fathers who has blessed this land beyond all others will in His infinite mercy grant to all nations that peace which the world cannot give."
Harry S. Truman, 1950

"For the courage and vision of our forebears . . . for the unity of spirit which has made our country strong; and for the continuing faith under His guidance that has kept us a religious people with freedom of worship for all, we should kneel in humble thanksgiving."
"May we lift up our hearts in special prayers of gratitude for the abundance of our endowments . . . and for the religious faith which has wielded such a beneficent influence upon our destiny."
"It is also fitting at this season that we should consider God's providence to us throughout our entire history. . . .let us pray this year not only in the spirit of thanksgiving but also as suppliants for God's guidance, to the end that we may follow the course of righteousness and be worthy of His favor. . . . give thanks to God and prayerful contemplation to those eternal truths and universal principles of Holy Scripture which have inspired such measure of true greatness as this Nation has achieved."
". . . recall that our leaders throughout the succeeding generations have relied upon Almighty God for vision and strength of purpose . . . . and let us ask God's continuing help and guidance in our conduct, both as individuals and as a Nation."
Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1953 - 1957

"Let us observe this day with reverence and with prayer that will rekindle in us the will and show us the way not only to preserve our blessings, but also extend them to the four corners of the earth."
"Let us renew that spirit by offering our thanks for uncovenanted mercies, beyond our desert or merit, and by resolving to meet the responsibilities placed upon us."
". . . let us earnestly and humbly pray that He will continue to guide and sustain us . . ."
John F. Kennedy 1961- 1963

"From Moses at the Red Sea to Jesus preparing to feed the multitudes, the Scriptures summon us to words and deeds of gratitude, even before divine blessings are fully perceived. From Washington kneeling at Valley Forge to the prayer of an astronaut circling the moon, our own history repeats that summons and proves its practicality. . . ."Take heart! Give thanks! To see clearly about us is to rejoice; and to rejoice is to worship the Father; and to worship Him is to receive more blessings still.'"

"Time has not dimmed, nor circumstance diminished the need for God's hand in all that America may justly endeavor. In times of trial and of triumph that single truth reasserts itself, and a people who have never bowed before men go gladly to their knees in submission to divine power, and in thanks for divine sustenance."
Richard Nixon, 1972-1973

"Thanksgiving . . . . is a time when the differences of a diverse people are forgotten and all Americans join in giving thanks to God for the blessings we share - the blessings of freedom, opportunity and abundance that make America so unique."
Gerald R. Ford, 1974

" . . . a day when all Americans could join together and express their gratitude for God's providence 'with united hearts.'"

"I ask all Americans to give thanks on that day for the blessings Almighty God has bestowed upon us, and seek to be good stewards of what we have received."
Jimmy Carter, 1977 - 1979

"Thanksgiving . . . has served as a singular expression of the transcending spiritual values that played an instrumental part in the founding of our country."

" 'Unto Thee, O God, do we give thanks,' the Psalmist sang, praising God not only for the 'wondrous works' of His creation, but for loving guidance and deliverance from dangers."

"Rooted deeply in our Judeo-Christian heritage, the practice of offering thanksgiving underscores our unshakable belief in God as the foundation of our Nation and our firm reliance upon Him from Whom all blessings flow.
Both as individuals and as a people, we join with the Psalmist in song and
praise: 'Give thanks unto the Lord for He is good.'"

"And let us ever be mindful of the faith and spiritual values that have made our Nation great and that alone can keep us great."

"Acknowledgment of dependence on God's favor was, in fact, our fledgling Nation's very first order of business."
Ronald Reagan, 1981 - 1987

"Sharing in God's blessings is at the heart of Thanksgiving and at the core of the American spirit."
William J. Clinton, 2000

"Our founders thanked the Almighty and humbly sought His wisdom and blessing. May we always live by that same trust, and may God continue to watch over and bless the United States of America."

"On Thanksgiving Day, we acknowledge that all of these things and life itself, come from Almighty God."
George W. Bush 2003-2004

"...we lift our hearts in gratitude to God for our many blessings, for one another, and for our Nation."
Barack Obama 2010

Enlarge Photo

Enlarge Photo

Javlin Galan
Enlarge Photo

About two hundred Piru children and their families flocked to a good old-fashioned Haunted House created at the Piru Community Center on Halloween night, enjoying games, free hot dogs and candy treats.

A partnership of Piru Neighborhood Council members and community volunteers created the colorful maze of ghostly pirates, witches, giant spiders, skeletons, bat caves and a glowing pumpkin patch. Even a headless horseman made an appearance, scaring those brave enough to walk through the cavernous Community Center room. Children in their trick-or-treat costumes walked past the scarecrow corner and laughed or cried when a blast of compressed air hit their legs. Bloodcurdling screams were heard as volunteers dressed as skull men, goblins and other apparitions jumped up to scare teens and adults rounding the corners of the maze.

It was all for a good cause, according to organizers Fredy Galan and Luanne Schaper, since many of the participants paid a small donation to help the children of Piru. The proceeds from the Haunted House will go towards the purchase of books to be donated to students attending Piru Elementary School.

Grad Nite Live’s Marie Callender Thanksgiving Pie Fundraiser: Pies will be ready to be picked up at the Veterns Memorial Bldg. Tuesday, Nov. 20th, noon to 4pm. If you have requested to have your pies delivered , they will be delivered during this time. Thank you for your orders and your continued support of Grad Nite Live. Any questions please call Mrs. Chaney @ 524-4909 or 407-5759. ALSO: Parents, friends and all people that are helping the Senior Class students with their Pie Fundraiser. Because school is not in session the week of Thanksgiving we don’t have the help of students. If your Senior wants to be at the Memorial Bldg to unload the truck of pies and help with bagging the pies (approx 7-8 hours) we will give you your ticket to the Harbor Boat Cruise. Please call Mrs. Chaney and make arrangements 524-4909 or 407-5759.

Fillmore Family Coalition in partnership with the Ventura County Public Health, Tobacco Education Program is excited to announce its tobacco merchant education campaign for retailers in the City of Fillmore. With support from the Fillmore City Council and Fillmore Sheriff’s Department, Fillmore Family Coalition members along with Tobacco Education Program staff are planning to visit all tobacco retailers in Fillmore.

Did you know? According to Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids (2012) 90% of smokers began at or before the age of 18. Given current smoking rates, 596,000 youth alive in California will ultimately die from smoking*. The best way to prevent this is to limit the access youth have to tobacco products. Regardless of the fact that for over 100 years it has been illegal to sell tobacco products to minors, youth still state they find it easy to purchase tobacco products.

These educational visits will serve to empower businesses to make an impact on the health of our community’s youth. During these visits, business owners will be informed of current tobacco laws and information on how to reduce tobacco access to minors. Businesses will also be given a packet of educational materials and state issued tobacco signage.

Anyone interested in joining these efforts or would like more information please contact John Ford at 805.340.7335.

The Annual Toy Drive Sponsored by City of Fillmore Fire Department is underway! Unwrapped toy donations are currently being accepted at Fillmore Fire Station 91 located at 711 Sespe Place, Fillmore. All residents who donate a new unwrapped toy valued at $10 or more, or make a $10 cash donation will receive a ticket for one BBQ chicken dinner. The BBQ will take place on Sunday December 16th, 2012 between the hours of 4:30PM – 7:00PM. Dinner will be served at the Fire Station or you may take advantage of our convenient drive thru service.

Toys will be distributed to Fillmore children on Wednesday December 21th, 2:00pm at Fillmore Fire Station 91 located at 711 Sespe Place, Fillmore.

Hundreds of families in Fillmore struggle to put food on the table and pay rent each month leaving many without money to buy gifts during the holiday season. With your assistance you can help bring a smile to a child’s face this Holiday Season!

Toy Drop-off Locations:

Fillmore Fire Department
711 Sespe Place
Fillmore, CA 93015
805-524-0586

Fillmore Police Department
524 Sespe Avenue
Fillmore, CA 93015
805-524-2233

November is Military Family Appreciation Month

San Francisco, CA – Wells Fargo & Company announced today it is committing $35 million over the next three years as part of its ongoing commitment to supporting military service members and veterans. The commitment includes:

Real estate owned (REO) property donations and support valued at $30 million to qualifying nonprofits that serve military service members and veterans
Hiring and mentoring initiatives,
Customized financial education efforts, and
Funds for philanthropic donations and sponsorships.
In addition, November 14-30, Wells Fargo is providing its customers an opportunity to make donations through the company’s more than 12,000 ATMs in support of military service members and veterans. Donations can be made at Wells Fargo ATMs across the U.S. (with the exception of Kansas, Missouri and Washington, D.C., due to local restrictions) to the USO, National Military Family Association and Homes for our Troops. Customers will not be charged any fees for using the service and 100 percent of the donations will go to the selected nonprofits. Prior to November 14, Wells Fargo is giving customers an opportunity to give to the American Red Cross Disaster Release Fund through its ATMs for relief efforts for those impacted by Hurricane Sandy.

“With this $35 million CONTINUED »

Merry Christmas!

It’s time again for the 2012 Annual Fillmore Christmas Parade sponsored by the Fillmore Lions Club.

On Saturday December 1st at 1:00 PM the parade will proceed south on Central Ave. from Second Street to Santa Clara Street.

The parade route will be posted with “No Parking Signs” from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM the day of the parade. The Lions Club requests the cooperation and patience of Fillmore residents for this event to ensure the safety of all involved.

The Parade is open to all groups or persons wanting to celebrate the season with a “themed” entry.

Applications are available to print below and at several locations:
1. Walt’s Jewelers in the Vons Shopping Center
2. The Fillmore Chamber of Commerce Office,
3. Lobby of City Hall
4. Bob Klittich, Parade Chairperson at 524-2123, or Klittich@gmail.com.
5. Bill Dewey, Parade Vice Chairperson @ 524-4457

There is no cost to enter the parade. Parade check-in is at 11:30 AM on Second Street, in front of the Memorial building.

This is the 11th year the Lions Club has sponsored the Annual Fillmore Christmas Parade. The Fillmore Lions Club’s continues to sponsor the parade in honor of long time member, the late Henry “Hank” Carrillo. Hank urged the Club to assume the responsibility of the parade when it was in danger of losing sponsorship.

Santa Clause is expected to be in Fillmore to wish all a Merry Christmas in time for the Parade. Immediately after the parade Santa will be available for pictures, (if you bring your own camera), at the Fillmore Museum, near the train station.

See you all on December 1st!
Merry Christmas!
Bob

Bob Klittich
Christmas Parade Chairman
Fillmore Lions Club

http://www.scribd.com/doc/113137772/Parade-Application-2012

http://www.scribd.com/doc/113137741/Hold-Harmless-Parade

http://www.scribd.com/doc/113137733/FAQ-Frequently-Asked-Questions-2012

It is that time of the year again! Christmas is just around the corner and the community as well as the Piru Neighborhood Council Inc. would like to invite everyone to Piru’s 35th Annual Christmas Parade.

This year the parade will be held on Saturday December 8th. The parade will start at noon followed by Our award ceremony at the Piru Gazebo.

If you are interested in entering our parade and need an application or have any other questions feel free to contact Paul Alverdi (805)317-9896 or Pam Piche (805)727-0464 or E-mail pirupam5@yahoo.com. Applications for the parade can also be picked up at any local store.

We are looking forward to seeing everyone come out! Hope you all have an enjoyable and safe holiday.

A light will be shining on the Hospice “Light Up A Life Tree” at the Tree Lighting Ceremony at Central Park Plaza, Fillmore or Piru. Join us for the Tree Lighting Ceremony for Fillmore on Saturday, November 24, 2012 at 5:30 PM. or for Piru on Saturday November 17, 2012 5:30 on Center Street, near the Gazebo.
These names were received October 25 to November 7, 2012:

IN FILLMORE
IN MEMORY OF:
Eric (Rick) Godfrey
Bret Godfrey
Vera Godfrey
Vernon Booth
Marge Whipkey
Tom Mastin
Rev. J. F. Lyttle
Jewell Lyttle
Charles Randall
Dale Hutchins
Beverly Penrod
George Penrod
Sam Myers
Estelle Johnson
Bill Johnson
Margaret Stevens
Raymond Beserra
Leon Erlin
Onema Nunes
Donna Harkness
Derek DeJarnette
Amy DeJarnette

IN HONOR OF:
Lois & Grace Meehl
Terry Meehl
Kathy Black
James Booth
Peggy Booth
Joyce Queen
William (Tommy) Queen
Linda Lawson
Stanley Stevens
Mark Stevens
Pat Dixon
Raymond Wallace
Tommy Wallace-Whiteley
Lark Whiteley
Winnie Whiteley
Lloyd D. Michel, Jr.
Donald E. DeYoung
Neva DeYoung
IN PIRU
IN MEMORY OF:
Lee & Ramona Golson
Anthony Golson, Sr.
Ignacio & Armanda Ortega
Paul A. Perez
Bill Bishop
Melinda Bishop
Morris & Mae King
Barbara Ponce
Dad/Grandpa Zeke Hernandez
Dino Lovato
Nacho Guevara
Miguel Guevara
Molly Ramirez
Pablo Ramirez, Jr.
Eva Koch
Lori Golson
IN HONOR OF:
Luis Posadas
Mom/Mombo Andrea Hernandez
Lupe Morales

HO! HO! HO! The SANTA TRAIN is coming! To experience one of Southern California’s most unique arrivals of Santa introducing the Christmas Season this year, bring your family to one of four stops along the route in Ventura County. Santa will be riding the rails from Montalvo in East Ventura to Fillmore on Saturday night, November 24, 2012. Come one, Come All, Greet Santa as he stops in your neighborhood. Santa will be riding aboard the Fillmore & Western Railway Co. Santa Train, powered by a Baldwin 1913 vintage steam locomotive, the #14. This year the train is sponsored by the California Locomotive Preserve, a 501 C3, non-profit organization and several other generous Ventura County businesses and organizations including The Rotary Club of Fillmore, OST, Fillmore Volunteer Fire Fighter Foundation, Ventura County Sheriff’s Association, the Ventura County Transportation Commission and Metrolink. Santa’s first stop will be at the Montalvo Metrolink Platform in East Ventura at 5:00pm. After a 20 minute visit with children and their families, the train will continue east and stop about 300 feet east of the Bristol Street & Montgomery Street (Northbank pedestrian crossing) intersection at approximately 5:30pm for a 30 minute visit. Next stop at approximately 6:10pm will be in Saticoy at Alelia Street until approx. 6:40pm. Santa will distribute goodies from our sponsors to children at every stop, and asks kids of every age to bring their “Christmas Wish Lists” to fill his mailbag.

The “Santa Train” will arrive at the Santa Paula depot at approx. 7:10pm and will stay until approx. 7:40pm. This annual train is the only non-passenger train of the year. It is Fillmore & Western’s thank you to all of the communities along the “Santa Paula Branch Line”. The Santa train will continue on to it’s home in Fillmore, arriving at approximately 8:20pm with a reception for Santa at the Movie Train Café, 501 Santa Clara Street.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Association, as in years past, are a tremendous help and are creating a much safer environment for families at the Ventura train stops by providing officers for traffic control. Our sincere thanks go out to them for their support of our method of bringing in the holiday season. Our intent is to spread holiday cheer, and to bring a smile to the faces of the families in the communities along the Ventura County route.

This year we are asking that families bring an unwrapped toy that will be donated to the Fillmore Volunteer Firefighter Foundation and the Ventura County Deputy Sheriffs Association who will distribute the toys to needy children throughout the valley.

We wish a happy holiday season to all and hope that you, your family, friends and neighbors will line the “Orange Blossom Route” at the designated stops from the Metrolink Station in Ventura to Fillmore and help Santa bring in the holiday season. HO! HO! HO!

On Friday November 9th the Fillmore Women's Service Club, represented by President Michelle Smith, 1st. VP Tobey Bowers, and 2nd VP Valerie Richards (not pictured) recognized the teachers from Fillmore Sierra High School. At a recognition assembly where Students at Sierra High School in Fillmore were presented with achievement awards, Tobey Bowers with Fillmore Women's Service Club presented checks to the teachers for their Teacher Recognition Awards. Each teacher received a letter of recognition and appreciation for outstanding dedication to education along with a check for $100 to purchase classroom materials. This was FWSC's way of saying Thank You to the faculty of Sierra High School for their commitment to students of the Fillmore Unified School District.

WHAT: Troop Real Estate, Inc. holds its 13th Annual “Turkey-A-Thon” to distribute Thanksgiving turkeys with all the trimmings to needy individuals and families in Ventura county. Prospective recipients are certified by local food banks.

WHEN: Monday, Nov. 19, 2012, 9 a.m. to Noon.

WHERE: Troop Real Estate’s corporate offices, 3200 Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley (primary venue and largest distribution site), in concert with Care and Share/The Salvation Army.
Concurrently in West County at Troop’s Ventura office, 6128 Telegraph Rd., with Food Share; at the Moorpark Food Panty, 609 Fitch Ave., Moorpark; in Conejo Valley, with Manna, 3020 Crescent Way, Thousand Oaks, and with the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley facilities serving Santa Paula, Fillmore, and Ojai.

OUTREACH: This year, Troop’s goal is to provide enough food to feed 3,125 families, or 25,000 people, including an increase to 500 military families.

Troop Real Estate invites your coverage of the event. For information contact Art Ansoorian, Ansoorian and Associates (805) 653-1648, or Alex Gandel, event chairman (805) 522-6788.

Santa will be in town to help the Humane Society of Ventura County raise much needed funds for the animals at the Shelter, including recently rescued horses and dogs. “The Shelter is bursting at the seams with animals recently rescued by our Humane Officers, so the need is greater than ever,” said Shelter Director, Jolene Hoffman. In October, eight horses and 58 dogs were rescued, some from eminent starvation, others from lack of needed health care and grooming, all in need of help. These animals are currently being treated and rehabilitated while awaiting adoption. The Humane Society is Ventura County’s no-kill shelter, so these animals will be cared for until they are adopted, at a great expense to the organization.

Santa will be posing for portraits with Ventura County pets and family members, hoping to help. Photographing “Santa Paws,” will be professional photographer and Brooks Institute Professor Greg Cooper who will donate his services to help the Humane Society feed, spay and neuter, and place these animals in need. Also volunteering his time to help the animals is Chuck Bowman, our favorite “Santa.” Families who don’t celebrate Christmas are welcome to have their holiday portrait taken without Santa as well.

Photo sittings will include several poses with pets and/or their family members. Pets and their family member are encouraged to dress festively for the Holiday Season. The requested donation for “Santa Paws” photo sittings is $25 and includes a CD of your portraits which can be used for holiday cards or gifts. Photos are FREE for anyone adopting an animal from the Humane Society between December 1st and 8th of this year.

Because the Ventura County Humane Society is not affiliated with any other agency or government funding, it relies upon private donations and fundraisers. All proceeds raised by Santa Paws will benefit homeless animals throughout Ventura County awaiting adoption at the Humane Society Shelter and Adoption Center.

The event is first come, first served, no reservations required. Sunday, December 2nd , Santa will be at the Marriott Ventura Beach Hotel at 2055 East Harbor Blvd in Ventura from 10am until 3pm. On Sunday, December 9th, he’ll be at the Humane Society of Ventura County Animal Shelter and Adoption Center at 402 Bryant Street in Ojai. This date will also feature a Holiday Marketplace where local artisans will offer great gifts for the holiday season.

For more information and to view sample photos, visit hsvc.org or call 805 646-6505.

Livingston Visiting Nurse Association will hold Diabetes Classes to introduce basic information regarding diet, medication, exercise, blood sugar monitoring, new developments and common problems. Open to the public and free of charge, no registration is necessary. In Ventura: December 4, from 1:00 – 2:30 pm @Livingston VNA, 1996 Eastman Ave, #101.

Spanish Speaking Diabetes Classes are held in Ventura December 10, from 3 – 4:30 pm @ Livingston VNA. In Santa Paula Hospital: November 26 , from 3 – 4:30 pm @ l 825 N. 10th St. Call 642-0239 for information.