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Rick Neal Team Captain, and members of The Fillmore Search and Rescue Team presented a donation to Scott Klittich Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop #406 for $816 during the Scout meeting on Tuesday the 16th. The donation came from proceeds of a raffle the Fillmore Team held while hosting The Sheriff's Search and Rescue All Team Training at Piru Lake the previous weekend. Scout Master Scott Klittich said the boys had just returned from a camping trip near Bishop where they roughed it while 3 inches of snow fell on them overnight. Scoutmaster Klittich mentioned the Scouts might use the funds to upgrade some of their tents.

Mr. Melgoza Theresa Robledo/VP SI of Fillmore and Hugo Torres from Vallarta Restaurant in Fillmore.

The competition was stiff this year at the 1st Annual Heritage Valley Margarita Mix-Off, as local restaurants competed for the title of the Best Margarita in the Heritage Valley (held at Wm. L. Morris Chevrolet in Fillmore, on Sun. Sept. 30, 2012), but at the end Vallarta Restaurant in Fillmore came out victorious as the People’s Choice for the Best Margarita. Hugo Torres was on hand to mix the winning drink. Other winners included Most Original Margarita-Chappy Morris/Wm. L. Morris, Best in Show Margarita-Familia Diaz Restaurant (Santa Paula), Most Exotic Margarita, Mupu Grill (Santa Paula), Tastiest Treats-Orange Rush Café (Fillmore), Most Spirited Bartender-Mupu Grill (Santa Paula), Best Overall Presentation-El Pescador Restaurant (Fillmore) and Best Salsa-Tia Babe’s Restaurant (Santa Paula). Proceeds from the event will go towards projects sponsored by Soroptimist International of Fillmore. For more information on Soroptimist and/or the upcoming Fashion Show, Luncheon and Silent Auction on Sat. Nov. 17th please contact Ari Larson 805.794.7590.

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 Central Coast Tourism Council, one of the 12 tourist regions designated by the California State Tourism Coalition, held their monthly board meeting at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum on Friday, Oct. 19th. Representatives from tourism-related businesses from Santa Cruz to Simi Valley attended the function. Local attendees, as pictured were also joined by Carol Cohea, Director of Marketing Ronald Reagan Library and Museum. President of the CCTC, Tracy Farhad, Executive Director of the Solvang Visitor and Convention Bureau, presided over the meeting and introduced Duke Blackwood, Executive Director of the Ronald Reagan President Library and Museum. He shared stories of how the library came into existence and the journey of Air Force one and mentioned that they have over 400,000 visitors per year, a huge draw for tourists right here in Ventura County.

The Heritage Valley Tourism Bureau has been a member of the CCTC for 2 years, and its board members find great value in partnering with many of the world-famous entities that are also members, such as The Monterey Bay Aquarium, Hearst Castle, the cities of Solvang, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Carmel, Gilroy, just to name a few. CCTC is a member based organization with over 200 members, one of them being the State of California Tourism Coalition. Their motto is "The original road trip", meaning State Highway 1, from Oxnard to Santa Cruz, and all other freeways, highways and byways that connect to it.

A few of the CONTINUED »

For the seventh year, KSSP Photographic Studios will be offering FREE Halloween photography for children in costume, 12 years & younger, on Halloween, Wednesday October 31th. A free 4”x6” print will be printed (limit 1 free print per family or group) and available for pick-up on Halloween.

As in past years, no appointment is necessary and no purchase is necessary. The studio will be open from 3pm to 8pm to photograph individuals or groups, in costume. Children 12 and under will be photographed for free. For those over 12 years old, there will be a small charge.

“This is our way to give back to the community and to say 'thank you' for supporting us,” photographer Carmelita Miranda told the Gazette.

Principal photographers at KSSP are Carmelita Miranda and Charles Morris. KSSP is a full service photography studio specializing in portrait, wedding and quinceanera photography (and video). KSSP Photographic Studios is the school photographer for Fillmore High School. For further information, please contact KSSP Photographic Studios at 524-6400 or visit http://ksspphotostudios.com.

Seventy years after it was scuttled off Los Angeles, government archaeologists have found the wrecked remains of the George E. Billings, a rare Pacific Coast schooner that was employed in the lumber trade during the early 1900s.

Today at the California Islands Symposium in Ventura, Calif., Robert Schwemmer, maritime archaeologist for NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, confirmed the ship’s identity and presented a scientific paper on its history and discovery.

The Billings, a CONTINUED »

From Oak Park to Oak View, the Ventura County Grand Jury will monitor polling places as they did during the last election in June. On election day, Tuesday, November 6, the Grand Jury will be visiting the polls as well as the Board of Elections to check for obvious and subtle violations that may occur at voting locations throughout the County. The Grand Jury observes the setting up of the polling places, voting throughout the day, closing of the polling places, and the return of ballots to receiving stations or Election Headquarters.

If you have not already done so, you may wish to consult your precinct and voting location. Now is the time to become as fully informed as possible for voting in this important election.

To find out more about the mission of the Grand Jury, to download complaint forms, and to view previous years’ reports, please visit our Internet site: http://grandjury.countyofventura.org

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.

Sunday October 14th in the vicinity of Howard and King Street.
Family misses her dearly.
If you have seen her, please call 805-588-6588
Thank you!

Program Title: “A Special Brew of Magic!” Type of Program: Family, Date: Wednesday, October 24th, Time: 3:30 p.m. Place: Fillmore Library: 502 Second Street Fillmore, Ca. Master Magician, Shawn McMaster returns to the Fillmore Library with his special brew of magic! Come one; come all to a spectacular afternoon of family entertainment!. Program sponsored by the Fillmore Friends of the Library.

Light Up the Season Luncheon
A fun beginning to the holiday season
Saturday November 3, 2012
814 Main St., Santa Paula
11:00 AM
$20 per person includes: Lunch, entertainment and door prizes.
$1 raffle tickets will be sold for a chance to win a fully decorated
Christmas tree. 21 fully decorated trees will be displayed
Catering provided by Glen Tavern. For registration or questions regarding event please contact (805) 525-7910.

Ventura, CA - The Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) has made slight adjustments to VISTA service’s schedule, effective Monday, October 1. These adjustments include minor time modifications to the Highway 101 and Conejo Connection routes, the East County route, and the CSUCI routes, as well as additional service along Highway 126.

“With the recent transition to Roadrunner Shuttle, the ability to maintain service without interruption and with only these minor changes is a definite home run,” said VCTC Executive Director Darren Kettle. “Our effort remains focused on providing efficient and effective service to the people of Ventura County.”

Additional changes are expected for the Coastal Express later this month. Service changes traditionally go into effect during the summer, but the adjustments were pushed back due to the recent transition to Camarillo-based Roadrunner.

“The majority of the schedules will only be adjusted by a few minutes, so people needn’t worry about restructuring their entire commute,” noted VCTC Transit Director Vic Kamhi.

Updated schedules can be found at goventura.org.

Craig Newton who entertained the ladies last year is back for another performance. Craig plays over 24 different instruments and this year will be bringing some different ones than last year. He is always very entertaining and the ladies enjoy his music and his educational discussion of the instruments. Fillmore Ebell Club meets the 4th Tuesday of each month.

Craig will be entertaining on October 23 at the Fillmore Memorial Building. Lunch starts at 12:30pm and the Craigs program will start about 1:30. For more information and/to make a reservation please call LaVonne Deeter, 524-2090. Memberships are now open and welcomed Please call Beverly Brisby 524-4799.

Ventura, CA - Learn more about surviving cancer and thriving at free symposium Community Memorial Health System is holding on Saturday, Oct. 27, at the Ventura Beach Marriott. Physician and local leading experts will be presenting a range of topics.

Patients, their families, the public, caregivers and medical professionals are encouraged to attend. The symposium begins with registration and light continental breakfast at 7:30 a.m. with the program beginning at 8:00 a.m. through to 1 p.m. Featured topics presented by local experts include:

 David Letterman-like Top Ten Rules for Cancer Survivorship
Rosemary McIntyre, M.D., Hematology/Oncologist, Ventura County Hematology Oncology Specialists
 Developing Your Own CONTINUED »

Ventura, CA - Free to the public, Community Memorial Health System holds regularly scheduled “Stop Smoking” Tobacco Cessation classes.

Each 8-session class includes sessions on lifestyle balance, weight and exercise, life without cigarettes, including handling urges, stress, moods and slips. Registered participants receive FREE nicotine replacement therapy products.

Three convenient locations are available to begin your 8 week session:
• Wednesdays 3:30-4:30 p.m. in Ojai: Ojai Valley Community Hospital (conference room), 1306 Maricopa Hwy.
• Wednesdays 5:30-6:30 p.m. in Ventura: Ventura County Public Health, 3147 Loma Vista Rd., Room 5F.
• Thursdays 5:15-6 p.m. in Oxnard: Center for Family Health (reception area), 2361 E. Vineyard Ave.

The sessions are co-sponsored by Ventura County Public Health and funded by the Ventura County Tobacco Settlement Program.

Class dates and times are subject to change and registration is required by calling CMHS’s HealthAware office at 805/667-2818 or email healthaware@cmhshealth.org.

Community Memorial Health System is a not-for-profit health system, which is comprised of Community Memorial Hospital, Ojai Valley Community Hospital, and eleven family-practice health centers entitled Centers for Family Health. The health system is located in Ventura County, California.

Our first fundraiser is Marie Callender's Thanksgiving Pies for the Class of 2013. The Seniors have been given their Pie Order forms and are out working right now. This year will be the same as last year, either work fundraisers to make at least $200 for Grad Nite Live or pay $100 for your ticket to Grad Nite Lives Graduation Harbor Cruise...
The distribution of pies will again be at the Memorial Bldg. The students will deliver your pies Tuesday Nov 20th. If you ordered your pies from Mrs. Chaney YOU will pick up your pies at the Memorial Bldg Tuesday Nov 20th between 12 noon and 4pm.
This year we are offering the same kind of pies: APPLE, PUMPKIN, PECAN, (sugar free) LITE APPLE & RAZELBERRY. This year we are selling them at $13.00 including the tin. I understand that Marie Callender’s is going to charge $17.00 plus the tin.
Need help? Any Questions? call Mrs. Chaney, 524-4909 or 407-5759

Ventura County, CA - With the flu season fast approaching, Dr. Robert Levin, Health Officer for Ventura County Public Health (VCPH), is urging all Ventura County residents to get vaccinated against the flu.

“The flu has the potential to cause serious illness and even death,” said Levin. “Becoming vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu and its complications.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), influenza and related complications are the eighth leading cause of death in the United States. Influenza is associated with up to 49,000 deaths and over 200,000 hospitalizations in the U.S. each year.

CDC recommends an annual flu vaccine for everyone six months of age and older, including pregnant women. Healthy people between two and 49 years of age, who are not pregnant, may opt for the nasal spray flu vaccine instead of the shot.

In October and November, VCPH Immunization Program will co-sponsor over 90 low cost/no cost influenza vaccine clinics at various locations throughout Ventura County. No appointment is necessary and the flu shots will be given on a first come, first serve basis. For a list of seasonal flu clinics, go to www.vchca.org/flu.

The 2012 – 2013 flu vaccine protects against influenza A (H1N1) virus, influenza A (H3N2) virus and influenza B virus. This year’s flu vaccine contains two different strains that were not part of the 2011–12 flu vaccine.

To stop the spread of flu and other respiratory illnesses, everyone should:

· Stay home when sick

· Cover a cough or sneeze by using their elbow or a tissue and then properly dispose of the used tissue.

· Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, avoiding contact with eyes, nose and mouth.

About the Ventura County Public Health Department

The Ventura County Public Health Department’s (VCPH) mission is to empower the community to improve health; promote health and emergency preparedness; and prevent disease, injury, and disability.

VCPH is committed to protecting and promoting the health of all Ventura County residents, especially in those communities that have greater health disparities and reduced access to care.

Under the direction of Ventura County Public Health Director, Barry Fisher, VCPH employs more than 300 nurses, doctors, health educators, lab technicians, medical therapists, and epidemiologists and administers a wide array of programs and services including preventative health, community nursing, emergency medical services, health education, infectious disease, epidemiology/surveillance and animal control.

For more information, call: (800) 781-4449 or go to: www.vchca.org/ph