Ventura, CA - Community Memorial Health System offers a free Walking Fitness Program every Tuesday and Thursday 8 to 9:30 a.m. at Community Park in Ventura providing participants with blood pressure screenings before and after each walk to help monitor heart health. As an added feature, Ventura Orthopedic Medical Group is now offering participants free orthopedic screenings.

The Ortho screenings take place at the walk the first Tuesday of each month, from 9 to 10 a.m. when Steve Edwards, Director of Therapy Services for Ventura Orthopedic will be on hand to assess and provide treatment advice about beginning and succeeding in the Walking Fitness Program.

Exercise increases one’s lungs’ ability to take in oxygen, lowers blood pressure and helps reduce body fat and improves blood sugar and cholesterol levels. CMHS, urges participants to consult their primary care physician before starting any exercise program or activity.

Community Park is at the corner of Kimball and Telegraph Roads in Ventura. The HealthAware station is located in the far left parking lot closest to Telephone Road.

To register or for more information call 805/667-2818 or go to www.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 11 family-practice health centers entitled Centers for Family Health. The health system is located in Ventura County, California.

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, the classes are held the first Tuesday of the month, 1:00 – 2:30 pm @Livingston VNA, 1996 Eastman Ave, #101, Ventura. No registration is necessary; for information call Linda Hampson, RN, MSN @ 805-642-0239, ext 723. Spanish Speaking Diabetes Classes are also being offered the second Monday of the month, 3 – 4:30 pm @ Livingston Memorial; and the fourth Monday of the month, 3 – 4:30 pm @ Santa Paula Hospital, 825 N. 10th St. Call 642-0239 for information.

Leslie McAdam

VENTURA, CA - Ferguson Case Orr Paterson LLP attorney Leslie McAdam has been honored with a prestigious California State Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award for her work with Santa Clara Valley Legal Aid, which provides free legal assistance to rural Ventura County’s underserved population. The Honorable Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of California, will present the award to McAdam on Oct. 12 at the State Bar Convention in Monterey, Calif.

McAdam has been involved with Santa Clara Valley Legal Aid since 2009. She has provided pro bono services to help more than 100 rural and non-English speaking residents in the Santa Clara River Valley, and contributed more than 200 hours helping individuals with tenant issues, employee rights, small claims, consumer issues and farmworker issues. She has devoted nearly every Thursday evening to the organization over the past few years, advising women, agricultural workers, elderly, disabled, and the working poor at weekly clinics.

“We are proud of Leslie CONTINUED »

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FARM WATCH: August - September 2012 Edition

WELCOME FARM WATCH READERS!

I can't believe it is the Fall season already and we are still experiencing "summer " heat for our county. We have very dry conditions, so needless to say we all need to be diligent in reporting suspicious activity on and around our agricultural properties to safe guard against arsonists. Please DO NOT hesitate to call 911 when you suspect person(s) that do not have the legal authority to be on your property . This is the case for those that might be casing the ranches for potential metal thefts or they could be possible arsonists.

On the crime front, Det. Ray Dominguez has been quite busy all around the county, but is pleased with the readers of Farm Watch reporting crimes in an expedient manner. I continue to receive calls from folks that want to be added to this report. SO the bottom line: we depend on all of you to report suspicious activity immediately so we can deliver more effective policing to solve crimes, or at least deter crime in the future !

Agricultural Crimes Detective CONTINUED »

Just recently, eleven students from our ASB attended an ASB leadership conference at Camarillo High School where we learned many new ideas to make our school the best it can be! ASB is always seeking out new ways to make our school a joyful experience for everyone and coming together with other schools combining our different ideas has given us fresh new things to try out. Also, quarter assessment testing is already next week! Students it is time to hit the books because this quarter is almost over. Good luck!

About 10 weeks old, found in alley between 3rd & Blaine near Saratoga Street around September 27. Please call and leave message for I.d. 524-7958 or 625-1879.

The City of Fillmore’s next HHW collection is Oct. 6, 2012 – to allow residents and small business owners to drop off materials that are not accepted in either your trash or recycling bins for safe disposal, free of charge.

The Household Hazardous Waste Day will be held from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Residents and small business owners can bring their HHW to Fillmore’s Public Works Department yard at the corner of A Street and Sespe Place.

The Collection will accept: Latex (water-based) and oil-base paints; computers and electronics; pool and photo chemicals; cleaning solvents; pesticides and insecticides; fertilizers; automobile batteries; used motor oil and filters; single-use and rechargeable batteries; and fluorescent light bulbs.

The Collection will not accept: fireworks, smoke detectors, radioactive and medical waste; explosive materials; compressed gas cylinders; tires; or trash.

Appointments are necessary. Call 658-4323.

For more information, call 805 524-3701.

All inside the Fox & Hound Treasures & Antiques store, standing in front of Kimberly’s display of custom jewelry. (l-r) Ari Larson - Chamber Vice President, Tammy Hobson - Chamber 2nd Vice President, Kimberly Nance - Owner of Fox & Hound Treasures & Antiques, Cindy Jackson - Chamber President, and Theresa Robledo, Chamber Board Director.
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Standing inside That’s Cherry with Owner Scott Torres who is proudly displaying the fashionable shoes he carries. (l-r) Ari Larson – Chamber Vice President, Theresa Robledo – Chamber Board Director, Rudy (Scott) Torres - Owner of That’s Cherry, Tammi Hobson - Chamber 2nd Vice President, Cindy Jackson - Chamber President.
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Fox & Hound Treasures & Antiques located at 324 Central Avenue
Phone Number: 796-5450
The store owners are: Kimberly & Rick Nance
They feature an array of beautiful antique items, such as: furniture, clothing, pictures, and nick-knacks. Kimberly also makes her very own custom jewelry at great prices. Come check out her beautiful Princess Diana doll called “The Royal Wedding Doll.” The store hours are Monday thru Saturday from 10:30-5:30pm and Sundays from 11:00 to 5:00pm. Facebook coming soon!

That’s Cherry located at 329 Central Avenue Fillmore
Phone Number 524-2500
Store owner: Rudy (Scott) Torres
Scott features young contemporary clothing, all styles of shoes from flats to heels to boots. He also carries stylish purses, jewelry and accessories, with moderate prices too boot! Great store hours are Mon, Tues, Wed & Friday from 11-7pm Thurs & Sat from 12-7pm. Come visit Scott on Facebook!

The Fillmore Chamber of Commerce is please to invite you to a City Council Candidates Forum on Wednesday October 24, 2012 from 6:30 – 8:30 P. M. at City Hall Council Chambers.

This forum will allow the Citizens of Fillmore to make a more informed choice when they vote to elect three new council members and allow each candidate the opportunity to clearly present their positions on current issues facing the City of Fillmore. If you have a particular question you would like addressed please submit your questions by either email: fillmorechamber@att.net or mail to P. O. Box 815 Fillmore, Ca 93016 no later than October 12, 2012.

The Chamber of Commerce is hosting this form as a service to the businesses and citizens of Fillmore and neither supports nor endorsed any candidate.

For further information contact Co-Chair Raylene Chaney at (805) 407-5759

Tracey Gold

WHAT: Celebrate Big Brothers Big Sisters and its mentoring impact on the lives of youth facing adversity by attending Bags Bling and Bubbly, a champagne luncheon for and by women featuring celebrity and T.V. Star Tracey Gold and recently crowned Miss California Tiffany Allen.

HOW: Big Brothers Big Sisters is hosting a champagne luncheon honoring Tracey Gold, the Wise, Wonderful Woman of the year. This dazzling extravaganza features a live and silent auction with vintage and new designer bags, jewelry, show tickets, spa packages, baskets, and raffles. Tickets are $75 per person and sponsorship and advertising packages are available.

WHY: Proceeds benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters and the 1,500 youth they serve throughout Ventura County and neighboring communities. The participation of youth and their families in a nationally recognized mentoring program is transforming their lives for the better, forever and guiding them to become productive and responsible citizens. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County has been serving the youth in Ventura County since 1970 and is the top ranked youth mentoring organization in the country by Guidestar’s Philanthropedia, because of its evidence-based mentoring model with proven youth outcomes.

WHO: Join a fabulous group of women and those business and community sponsors who support them, including Diane and Bill Sabol, CoffeyTalk, HealthWise, Wells Fargo, Select Staffing, Steve Greenwood Esq. and the Lewis Greenwood Foundation.

WHEN/WHERE: Friday November 9th, 2012 @11:00 a.m. at Las Posas Country Club, 955 Fairway Drive, Camarillo, CA 93010

We invite individuals, companies and organizations to consider advertising and sponsorship opportunities by contacting Terri Felix at 805.484.2282 x 23 or by e-mailing tfelix@bbsvc.org.

Visit our website at www.bbsvc.org or call 805.484.2282 for additional ticket information and event updates.

Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/461354773887915/

Ventura County Library (VCL) is proud to announce the availability of DemographicsNow: Business & People, the ideal resource for those in need of a comprehensive business and residential research tool.

DemographicsNow: Business & People is available now – FREE – with your VCL card. DemographicsNow: Business & People is available online from any computer with a broadband internet connection through the Ventura County eLibrary at bit.ly/OzrgTM.

DemographicsNow: Business & People provides in-depth demographic variables and trends presented through reports, maps, and charts. Use DemographicsNow for tools to find businesses and target populations for informed and timely decision making.

A great way to get started with DemographicsNow: Business & People is to click on the "VIEW OUR TUTORIALS" link and take step-by-step instructions to learn how to:

Generate a demographic report
Find businesses and people
Use maps to find your competition and choose a location for your business
Create a sales lead list
Access the 2010 Census Data
Assess the market and risk factors for your business

The Ventura County Library is available 24/7 at www.vencolibrary.org.

In an effort to quell overpopulation of the breed, the Humane Society of Ventura County is offering free spay or neutering for Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes.

The offer is for residents of Ventura County who own Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes that are 5 years and under and weigh from 5 to 15 pounds.

The HSVC also offers low-cost spay and neutering for all other dogs aged 5 years and under and between 5 and 80 pounds, with the HSVC vets’ approval. Call shelter for details.

The HSVC is singling CONTINUED »

Charles and Alyce Richardson of Fillmore had the honor and privilege to witness the church service and promotional ceremony for Gordon A. Richardson, their nephew, who was promoted to Colonel in the United States Army. The ceremony took place on July 6, 2012 at Colonel Richardson's home base, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

Colonel Richardson started his career as a member of the Reserve Officers Training Corp (ROTC) where he began as a freshman at Northeastern University in Boston, MA. He graduated from college there in June, 1990 as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. He received a permanent commission as a reward for graduating number one in his ROTC class. Now, 22 years later, he's been promoted to full Colonel.

This is note worthy because his father, a West Point graduate, retired as a Lt. Colonel. His two older brothers, also West Point graduates, retired as a Lt. Colonel and a Major after distinguished careers in the US Army. The point being that to reach this lofty goal being a West Point grad is not the only way to accomplish this highly sought after military rank, but if you are a great solider like Colonel Richardson there is no "glass ceiling".

Colonel Richardson told CONTINUED »

Native plants, succulents and drought-resistant are the three words that best describe the front yard of the Montero family named the Yard of the Month for September 2012 at 1053 Ortega St. Some of the plants include rosemary, lavender, sage, cacti and many different succulents. The family includes Leo, Cuba Montero and their 3-month old son Nelson. Leo and Cuba purchased the home 7 years ago and did the yard and rock paths on their own. They said they have learned along the way. The plants are not only beautiful but they attract hummingbirds and bees. There is also an apple and plum tree. "We decorated the porch with more potted succulents and colors to give it a Southwest look/feel that would match the yard. We are not done, but it's close." said Cuba.

The Montero family received a certificate donated by Otto & Sons Nursery in the amount of $30.

Fillmore Civic Pride/Vision 2020 meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at Fillmore City Hall (2nd floor conference room) at 1:30pm. Please call 805.524.3841 for more information.

The new community reading club has chosen the classic Dracula by Bram Stoker to read as their first book. Going along with the Halloween theme it is very apropos. The book will be discussed on Thurs. Oct. 25th at 7pm (Fillmore Public Library). Light refreshments will be served. The reading club is sponsored by Soroptimist International of Fillmore. Questions please call Cathy Krushell 805.524.3355.

The Fillmore Chamber of Commerce is please to invite you to a City Council Candidates Forum on Wednesday October 24, 2012 from 6:30 – 8:30 P. M. at City Hall Council Chambers.

This forum will allow the Citizens of Fillmore to make a more informed choice when they vote to elect three new council members and allow each candidate the opportunity to clearly present their positions on current issues facing the City of Fillmore. If you have a particular question you would like addressed please submit your questions by either email: fillmorechamber@att.net or mail to P. O. Box 815 Fillmore, Ca 93016 no later than October 12, 2012.

The Chamber of Commerce is hosting this form as a service to the businesses and citizens of Fillmore and neither supports nor endorsed any candidate.

For further information contact Co-Chair Raylene Chaney at (805) 407-5759

The Fillmore Chamber of Commerce membership elects members for Business of the Month that stand out in the community. Qualifications must be that the business is a current Fillmore Chamber of Commerce member, helps out in the community by volunteering and supporting it unconditionally. We welcome nominations from the community. To nominate a business person, please call the Chamber office at 524-0351 or Cindy Jackson at 391-1008.

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I've found, in my limited experience, that writing a feature film is just like writing an essay in school, or lyrics in a song, or the first line of a news article. You sit on that blank page and search. For hours, maybe for days you grasp at transparent words floating through the air, dependent entirely on luck to find that vital first line. It has to take you and your reader somewhere amazing, and nobody is going to be amazed if you can't first astonish yourself.

That's the feeling I got when I first put hands-to-laptop in November 2011 and started my third film, 'Faraway'. As the story goes: Audrey, a determined young American woman, arrives in the Philippines with a mysterious mission, little money, and no chance of reaching her goal. But when she enlists the help of two friendly locals, Hazel and Rey, and an unfriendly American expatriate, Nick (played by Nicholas Medina), the possibility of success comes into view. All they have to do is cross 300 miles of roads, jungles, and ocean, ward off the attacks of a vicious local motorcycle gang, and keep themselves from killing each other. "Faraway" is a tale of classic adventure, but with the rough-hewn gritty style of an indie.

Principal photography began CONTINUED »

Ventura County Library (VCL) is proud to announce the availability of Access Video On Demand, a comprehensive streaming video resource offering a broad variety of documentary, educational, cultural and instructional programming.

Access Video On Demand is available now – just in time for the start of school! Access Video On Demand is available online from any computer with a broadband internet connection through the Ventura County eLibrary at http://157.145.215.81:81/rpa/default/RPA_redr.htm. Free with your VCL card!

Benefits of Access Video On Demand include:
Engaging content from world class producers and broadcasters, including BBC, PBS, ABC News, CNBC, Biography, History Channel, National Geographic, Films for the Humanities & Sciences, Rick Steves & many more
Nothing to check out, nothing to return – no worries about overdue fees or damaged discs
All items are always available (simultaneous use)
Any current cardholder can use Access Video On Demand from home or anywhere with broadband Internet access
Superior video quality – the video player adjusts automatically for an optimal viewing experience in variable bandwidth environments
Because this is a browser-based internet service, the videos can be viewed on PCs, Macs, iPads and other internet-enabled mobile devices
Citations provided for students doing research or homework

The Ventura County Library is available 24/7 at www.vencolibrary.org.