When my Mother suggested a family get together in Fillmore for the Fourth of July, I got very excited about getting back to my home town, seeing my family, showing my son where I grew up and went to school and thought it would be an excellent opportunity to get our 1949 Studebaker father-son project on the road for its first real road trip outside our home in the Phoenix valley and participate in the 2012 Sespe Creek Car Show and Chili Cook-Off.

I've been to dozens and dozens of car shows over the years. This however was the farthest I've travelled to show a vehicle and the first that my son travelled with me outside of Phoenix. While we worked tirelessly preparing in the weeks and days preceding the trip, we had no idea of the challenges we'd face. It took 13 ½ hours to travel 496 miles to get to Fillmore.

We shared the story of our journey with many that stopped by to check out our beloved truck at the car show, and the response was amazing to us both. We experienced more kindness and generosity from the people of Fillmore than either of us thought was possible. Thanks for the parts, the extra tools, well-wishes and road snacks. The trip home was even more challenging - 29 hours of travel and repair time to get the truck and ourselves back home to Mesa, Arizona.

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WHAT: A FREE community event for ladies to enjoy an afternoon of pampering which includes: Hair styling, Make-up, Manicure, Massage and More. Be fabulous and treat yourself to the Beauty Bar at Sugar Beets all in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters!

HOW: Enjoy complimentary orderves and delicious martinis available for purchase provided by Sugar Beets. At this event participants will have many opportunities to make contributions to BBSVC in support of their entry to the Oxnard Salsa Festival Dancing with the Community Stars Competition; from tip jars to raffle tickets!

WHY: This is one of our fundraising events this season towards reaching our goal of raising $15,000 for BBBSVC. This event helps support our entry into the Oxnard Salsa Festival Dancing with the Community Stars Competition. With nearly 200 children and youth waiting for mentors, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County is committed to ensuring we succeed in meeting our goal of gathering the necessary resources to support our quality mentoring programs.

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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 plus the fourth Monday of the month, 3 – 4:30 pm @ Santa Paula Hospital, 825 N. 10th St. Call 642-0239 for information.

California Assembly Bill 341 went into effect on July 1, mandating commercial recycling for all businesses that generate four or more cubic yards of waste per week and all multi-family dwellings with five units or more regardless of the amount of waste.

Most Santa Clara Valley Disposal customers in Fillmore are already in compliance with this regulation. However, all municipalities are required to conduct education and outreach activities to inform and assure all affected commercial generators know what can be recycled locally and are making good-faith efforts to recycle.

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Deeper Life Christian Ministries held it’s Lawn Chair Summer Movie Series at City Hall on Friday night. The series is offered on the last Friday night of the month at dusk. Bring and snack, blanket and lawn chair and enjoy a movie with the kids!

Livingston Hospice conducts several adult bereavement support groups to help those who have experienced a loss. Explore and express feeling, understand the grief process and receive emotional support. Open to the public, free of charge, all are welcome. The groups are held:

Weekly: Wednesday; 3:00 – 4:30 pm @ The First Presbyterian Church, 850 Ivywood Drive, Oxnard
Weekly: Wednesday; 6:30 – 8:00 pm @ Livingston Memorial VNA, 1996 Eastman Ave (#112), Ventura
2nd & 4th Tuesdays; 10:30 – 12:00 @ Help of Ojai, 370 Baldwin Road, Ojai

Monthly: For the newly bereaved; 2nd Thursday; 6:00 – 7:30 pm @ Livingston Memorial VNA, 1996 Eastman Ave (#106), Ventura. For more information call: 642-1608

Cal Fire

Sacramento, CA – Often times, when people think of summer, they think of backyard parties and, of course, fireworks. It can be fun to watch the colorful display of sparkling lights in a dark sky, but fireworks can also cause serious harm if they are not handled carefully and correctly. CAL FIRE would like to remind all Californians about firework safety.

“Every year, many families are negatively impacted by the misuse and/or illegal use of fireworks,” said Chief Tonya Hoover, California’s State Fire Marshal. “Fire departments respond to devastating and costly fires and serious life-threatening injuries caused by fireworks, while local hospitals treat hundreds of injuries as a result of unsafe fireworks uses.”

Illegal fireworks include sky rockets, bottle rockets, roman candles, aerial shells, firecrackers and other types that explode, go into the air, or move on the ground in an uncontrollable manner. CAL FIRE continues to work with local law enforcement agencies to seize illegal fireworks and prosecute those who possess them. If you are convicted, you could be fined up to $50,000 as well as sent to prison or jail for up to one year.

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Ventura, CA - Community Memorial Health System is holding a free seminar on July 17 focusing on the advances in diagnostic imaging.

Irwin Grossman, M.D. will lead the seminar that will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. in the eighth-floor Nichols Auditorium at Community Memorial Hospital, located at 147 Brent St. in Ventura.

Dr. Grossman will discuss the latest imaging developments and testing and procedures for both heart and breast care, as well as offer straightforward opinions on the benefits and risks of the newest procedures. They include:

 Advances in Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI);
 Cutting-edge diagnostic imaging technology;
 Position Emission Tomography (PET) and Computed Tomography (CT) for diagnosing and staging treatment for cancer;
 Advances in detecting Alzheimer’s disease.

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With a soothing warm breeze blowing through the outdoor patio at the Movie Train Café, Tammy Hobson was installed as the president of Soroptimist International of Fillmore along with Vice President Theresa Robledo, Recording Secretary Cleo Friddle, Treasurer Gloria Camarillo (unable to attend), Correspondence Secretary Patti Walker, Directors, Lynn Edmonds and Ari Larson and Regional Delegates: Jeanne Warren and Ari Larson., Lynn Haueter representative for Sen. Tony Strickland’s office handed out certificates and Barbara Hatch District Director 1 officiated the installation. Soroptimist International of Fillmore will be celebrating their 55 year anniversary in 2013! For more information on how to become a member of this very active organization please contact Membership Chair: Ari Larson 805.794.7590. or petenari55@hotmail.com

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WELCOME FARM WATCH READERS!

Agricultural Crimes Detective Ray Dominguez had the following update from his activities and investigations around Ventura County:

Once again, I regret having to report several thefts/burglaries that occurred over the Memorial Day weekend. As mentioned in last month’s Farm Watch, we commonly see this type of activity occurring on long holiday weekends because crooks know it’s a great opportunity for them to practice their “Craft.” Below are several of the thefts worth mentioning:

One flower growing operation in the Oxnard Plains area was the victim of a costly chemical theft. The suspect(s) forced entry into two secured chemical storage barns and took an estimated $40,000 worth of chemicals. Many of these chemicals are specifically used in the production of ornamental flowers. Refer to the attached flyer regarding this case for additional information.

An avocado grower in the Ojai Valley was the target of an avocado theft with an estimated 1,000 pounds of avocados being stripped from his trees and dragged off the property. There are no suspect(s) or vehicle(s) identified in this case.

Two different victim farms located on Hueneme Road in the Oxnard Plains area were hit for a combined loss of 1,000+ brass sprinkler heads. The suspect(s) snapped the sprinklers off of irrigation pipes being stored on the properties, and will likely be recycled as scrap metal. No suspect(s) have been identified in these cases.

Another victim farm located on Laguna Rd. in the unincorporated area of Camarillo was the target of scrap metal thieves. The suspect(s) accessed the property via an open gate and attacked several electrical power boxes stripping approximately 525 feet of ¾” copper wiring. The suspect(s) used a pair of heavy-duty wire cutters that were found at the crime scene. Based on evidence found at the scene, it appears the suspect(s) tried to cut live wires and may have suffered serious electrical burns in the process. A check of local hospitals for possible burn victims produced negative results.

A victim farm located near the Camarillo Airport was the victim of a Grand Theft. The victim had a trailer/spherical fertilizer tank stolen from the location. The suspect(s) moved the victim’s John Deere tractor to gain access to the trailer/tank and proceeded to dump approximately 700 gallons of liquid fertilizer on the ground before making off with the trailer. The 1000 gallon tank was marked with “SMP” and is tan in color. No suspects have been identified in this case.

We have also seen a recent rash of arson activity at local farms in the Oxnard Plains area. Sheriff’s Arson Investigators are working these cases and are asking for your help in solving these cases. Please refer to the attached flyer for information.

With the Independence Day holiday just around the corner, please remember that any property left out in plain view is subject to theft and/or vandalism and will attract thieves and vandals. Please take the time to mark and secure your property to help avoid being the next victim of crime.

The following advice is always wise if you suspect illegal activity on your property:

Call the Sheriff’s Office immediately at 911.
Be a good witness
Note suspect descriptions such as age, height, weight, facial hair, clothing, and shoe type.
If a vehicle is involved, obtain a license plate number and note vehicle color, body damage, bumper stickers, camper shell, after market tires and wheels, etc.
Provide the dispatcher with information about the time and last known direction of travel.

If you are not sure of how to address the problem or would like additional crime prevention tips please contact your local Sheriff’s Office substation or Detective Ray Dominguez directly at (805) 384-4726 or by email at ray.dominguez@ventura.org.

Contacts:

Camarillo Detective Shawn Pewsey, shawn.pewsey@ventura.org

Fillmore Detective John Fox john.fox@ventura.org

Ventura Detective Christine Rettura Christine.rettura@ventura.org

Agricultural Crimes Detective, Ray Dominguez at Ray.Dominguez@ventura.org

As always, we would like to thank Sheriff’s Crime Analyst Karen Brown and Det. Ray Dominguez, for this issue’s great crime and alert update.

Be alert and always safe!

Monica (797-6338)

Geoff Dean - Sheriff
John Crombach and Gary Pentis - Assistant Sheriffs

Early this morning, officials at the Ventura County Transportation Commission reported that the agency’s popular VISTA inter-community bus service would continue until at least July 31, 2012. “We are very pleased that CUSA-CC, LLC, our current partner, has agreed to continue operating VISTA bus service for another month. We are excited to share this important news, and thank all of our loyal customers for their patience during the past two weeks,” noted VCTC board chair John Zaragoza.

The VISTA bus service will continue operating on its same schedule and same routes. While details regarding VISTA schedules will continue to be posted at the agency’s website (goventura.org), real-time schedule information will no longer be available via Next Bus.

VCTC staff continues its efforts to extend VISTA service through June 30, 2013. “We hope to be able to announce details of the post July service very soon,” concluded Zaragoza.

SACRAMENTO, CA - The California Department of Boating and Waterways (DBW) reminds boaters to use caution on the water this Fourth of July. DBW’s boating accident data shows that more boating accidents occur during this holiday than any others during the summer boating season.

“The need for boaters to become familiar with the rules of the road is critical in ensuring a safe boating experience,” said DBW’s Acting Director Lucia Becerra. “Rules such as steering to the right when approaching another vessel head on, is important to know, especially in crowded waterways.”

The following tips can greatly decrease the chances of boaters being involved in boating accidents:

Avoid alcohol. Everyone who drinks alcohol on board is at risk. Passengers can easily fall overboard, swim near the propeller, or cause the vessel to capsize.

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You would think that having four daughters and a son that we, Carolyn and I, would be use to those significant milestones your children approach, reach and move forward from. You would think we would be dealing with each and every one of those milestones as “pros” when the time came! Well not so much! Carolyn and I still think that it is very exciting to be involved in their “life events” and swell with pride while tears of happiness flow for their accomplishments!

Our youngest daughter, Julia Marie (Diaz) Fitzgibbons, 30 years, recently married what we believe is the most perfectly suited man for Julia! Daniel Patrick Fitzgibbons, 32 years, and Julia were married on Saturday, June 23, 2012 in San Luis Obispo County at the Santa Margarita Ranch, Santa Margarita, California. What a beautiful setting and for what I expected to be a scorcher, but it turned out to be perfect weather for an outdoor wedding. The Santa Margarita Ranch was established in 1769 and is today still a 13,900 acre working ranch that is a perfect setting for outdoor weddings.

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In celebration of the F.H.S. Alumni Association turning 100 years old next year, we thought we would take you down memory lane once a month and highlight some of the "Golden years" from our century of existence. Take the class of 1983. "Involved, Fun Loving, Energetic, Trusting?". Well, that's what their senior annual says. Here's another quote from the '83 Copa de Oro. "The Theme of Going at Full Force applied to the 82-83 Annual staff as much as to the yearbook we produced. We had a large and very dedicated staff this year and had fun as we worked hard to put out one of the best copa de oro's ever". We're sure there are a few classes from our Alma Mater who would argue that point. Here's some more highlights of 1983 at Fillmore High. F.F.A. - Champion pen of CONTINUED »

Ojai, CA - Headache and orofacial pain will be the focus of a free seminar Community Memorial Health System is holding on Saturday, July 21.

Brigitte Lovell, D.M.D, will lead the seminar that will be held from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in the banquet room at Soule Park Golf Course, 1033 East Ojai Ave in Ojai.

Dr. Lovell will cover the warning signs and diagnosis of orofacial pain – the persistent discomfort in the head, jaw, neck or shoulders – as well as treatment options available. She will also will delve into sleep apnea, a disorder characterized by abnormal pauses in breathing or instances of abnormally low breathing during sleep.

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