The City of Fillmore Fire Department in conjunction with the Fillmore Convalescent Center is proud to announce the completion of “START Triage” training with 100% of the staff members at the facility.

In an effort to increase cohesiveness between Fillmore Convalescent Center and the City of Fillmore Fire Department, both agencies partnered together to create and implement an emergency medical triage program. The purpose of this program is to address the potential influx of patients following a natural disaster. Facility personnel were trained on the “Simple Triage and Rapid Transport” medical triage system, commonly used by fire and EMS agencies throughout the State of California.

In the event of a natural disaster, facility employees are trained and prepared to triage any number of potential patients they may find in the 99-bed facility and care for them in order of severity. When fire and EMS personnel arrive on scene to assist with the care and transport of the patients, the transition of care between the two agencies will be seamless. Instruction on the START triage program was provided by Captain Patrick Maynard & Paramedic Steven Karnazes, who have been detailed to disaster planning and response.
Fillmore Convalescent Center is believed to be one of the first convalescent centers in Ventura County if not the State of California to be trained on START Triage system.

Lake Piru is the place to be this spring, with a full lake and green hillsides. With plenty of amenities, fishing, and summer swimming areas, the lake promises something for everyone this season. The lake has new marina boat docking facilities, repaved parking areas and roadways, including the full six-mile drive up Piru Canyon Road, and a renovated boat rental fleet, now with even more boats available for rent. The lake offers a new state-of-the-art drinking water system.

The renovation and remodel of the snack bar and camp store are underway and new restroom facilities will be coming to the Oak Lane Campground area soon. During the summer season there will be a larger and more attractive swim beach for the entire family to enjoy. A list of events, which will be available in mid- April, is expected to include a Spring Slam Fishing, family camping weekends, a Father’s Day event and a Summer BBQ Day. Visit the Lake Piru website at www.lake-piru.org to see a campsite list of events. For more information call Lake Piru at (805) 521-1500.

About the UWCD
UWCD is a public water agency responsible for conserving and protecting groundwater resources in Ventura County. In addition to the district’s Lake Piru Recreation Area, United Water’s facilities include: Santa Felicia Dam; spreading grounds in Saticoy, El Rio and Piru; an agricultural water delivery system; a wholesale municipal water delivery system; and the Freeman Diversion facility. The district provides wholesale water to the City of Oxnard, the Port Hueneme Water Agency (which includes the CBC and Point Mugu naval bases), Pleasant Valley County Water District, and several small mutual water companies. A seven-member elected board of directors directs the district’s policy and activities.

City of Fillmore

The City of Fillmore Public Works Department has announced that the annual Fire Hydrant Flushing Program will be conducted 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday – Friday, during the months of April & May. Hydrant flushing is conducted throughout the City.

Residents may notice discoloration of water when the flushing takes place in their neighborhood. If you experience a discoloration of water, turn on your plumbing fixtures until the water runs clear. It is best to run an outdoor fixture or a cold-water tap in a laundry tub or bathtub first until the water runs clear and then run water from other fixtures.

Hydrant flushing may cause some inconveniences, however, the flushing program is necessary to maintain a good water supply for both firefighting and domestic consumption. The community’s cooperation with the annual Fire Hydrant Flushing Program is appreciated. For more information call 805-524-1500 ext: 234.

SCHEDULE:
Quadrant 2
April 25, 2011 – April 29, 2011
Quadrant 3
May 2, 2011 – May 6, 2011
Quadrant 4
May 9, 2011 – May 13, 2011
Quadrant 1
May 16, 2011 – May 20, 2011

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County is pleased to announce the appointment of their newly elected board President, Richard Burke, Founder and CEO of Rx Timer Cap, LLC and Vice President, Scott Hansen, Senior Vice President & Regional Director of Wells Fargo Wealth Management.

Richard Million Burke, Jr. is an entrepreneur focused on his newest start-up, Rx Timer Cap, LLC, which has launched a prescription vial cap that incorporates a built-in medication timer to help improve patient compliance. Prior to founding Rx Timer Cap, Richard has over 25 years of experience bringing products to market and building companies in the consumer packaged goods arena.

He was Jesuit trained at the University of Detroit before moving to Los Angeles to complete his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Marketing from California State University, Northridge (CSUN).

Richard is also a founder and board member of the CSUN Wells Fargo Center for Small Business and Entrepreneurship. A proud Big Brother since 2008, Richard joined the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County Board of Directors in 2009. He is married and has three children.

Scott Hansen has CONTINUED »

The unidentified man was cleaned off and treated for minor cuts and bruises by local firefighters.
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FILLMORE, CA. - On 4/17/2011 at 9:06pm the City of Fillmore Fire Department was dispatched to a residence in the city of Fillmore for a reported technical rescue.

Upon arriving on scene, fire personnel discovered a male subject in his forties had fallen into an abandoned cesspool approximately twelve feet below ground. Compounding the situation, a broken waterline adjacent to the opening of the pool was filling the pool with water as the subject stood by for assistance.

Firefighters were able to lower a ladder into the opening of the brick-walled vessel and assist the subject to safety. The subject was briefly examined by paramedics who determined he suffered only minor cuts and bruises and did not require transport to the hospital.

The resident stated he had lived at the location for several years but never knew there was any type of cesspool in his backyard. Cesspools were installed by contractors 60+ years ago to house sewage and wastewater. Many of these pools that were once active have now been decommissioned and filled with concrete slurry to prevent incidents on this nature from happening.

The Ventura Country Rose Society will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday, April 28, 2011, at the Ventura County Office of Education Conference Center at 5100 Adolfo Rd., Camarillo.

The doors will open at 6:30 pm for advice from Consulting Rosarians and refreshments, and our presentation will begin at 7:30 p.m.

The Ventura Rose Society meeting will feature a special program. We are inviting the public and members to bring their roses in for a "Show 'n Tell" meeting to share roses that do well in Ventura County. If you don't know the name of your rose perhaps our Consulting Rosarians will help you. Bring your roses in a container and tell us about it - where it is planted, how it performs,and how you care for it. This will be a very enjoyable evening to learn about your garden roses and your neighbor's roses.

Visitors are always welcome. For more information contact: Janet Sklar at 818-993-6622 or Dawn-Marie Johnson at 805-523-9003

The Rotary Club of Fillmore honored the three 4-Way Test Essay Contest winners on Thursday. The purpose of the Rotary Essay Contest is for the students to think about the meaning of the Rotary 4-Way Test and write an essay telling how they can apply these principles to their own lives. The 4-Way Test of things we think, say or do is: Is it the Truth?, Is it Fair to all concerned?, Will it build Good Will and Better Friendships? And Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?

The three winners from Fillmore Christian Academy are: Justin Coert, 8th grade, Chloe Richardson, 6th grade and Jazmin Carrillo, 4th grade each one was awarded $50. The students and their parents enjoyed lunch on the train.

The Fillmore Flower Show with a theme of “Fantasy of Flowers in Fillmore”, is coming this weekend, April 16 & 17 at the Fillmore Senior Center. Vision 2020 Civic Pride Committee would like to invite all who are interested to enter their cut flowers or bouquets and arrangements on Saturday morning from 7:30am until 10:30am. There will be helpers standing by to help with your entries. Please label any containers that you bring with bouquets or arrangements. Adults have a one time, $5.00 entry fee for unlimited entries. Youth entries are eligible for all categories, but have no entry fee.

Violin & mandolin will be played by Asher Smith on Saturday when the show opens to the public from 1pm to 4pm. Sunday from 1pm until 3pm, classical music will be played by Nathalie Miliken, professional pianist.
Wreaths and succulent arrangements in pots worthy of any garden patio or porch needing drought tolerant, easy care plantings, orchids and other plants will be available for suggested donations, to keep our show going annually.

Brochures with entry information are still available with all entry categories & rules at the Fillmore Historical Museum, City Hall, Library, Scented Path and the Senior Center. Vision 2020, Civic Pride Committee welcomes ALL volunteers who wish to get involved in this very worthy community event with the show set up on Friday, at 3pm, Senior Center and/or “take down”, after the show on Sunday at 4pm. Donations are also welcomed. Contact Linda Nunes at 805-534-3021 for information.

Here’s your chance to come together once again as a community and make this year’s Relay for Life of Fillmore-Piru the best yet! To start off the season the Relay for Life Kick-Off Rally will be at Fillmore & Western Railway Co. (Central Park, Fillmore) on Wednesday, April 27th at 7:00pm.

Existing team leaders, those interested in signing up with a team, those that would like to form a new team or if you just want to find out more about the largest annual not-for-profit fund-raising event in the world come on out!

Enjoy music, tasty refreshments, door prizes and a whole lot more! Some of the refreshments will be courtesy of Bella’s Teas and Treats! We encourage local businesses to bring a door prize to promote their business! Thank you for your support! For more information, please contact Josie Real at 805.290.6309 or e-mail fillmorepirurelay@yahoo.com

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

In an effort to deter the abuse and improper destruction of prescription drugs, stations within the Ventura County Sheriff’s jurisdiction in collaboration with the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), will be collecting unused, expired, and unwanted medications at the following locations:

Ojai Police Station: 402 S. Ventura Street, Ojai, CA
Oakview Storefront: 555 Mahoney Avenue, Oakview, CA
Fillmore Police Station: 524 Sespe Avenue, Fillmore, CA
Headquarters Station: 2820 Jourdan Street, El Rio (Albert Soliz Library)
Camarillo Police Department: 3701 Las Posas Road, Camarillo, CA
Moorpark Police Department: 610 Spring Road, Moorpark, CA
Thousand Oaks Police Department: 2101 E. Olson Road, Thousand Oaks, CA

Members of these communities are welcome to drop off the medications at any of the listed locations on Saturday, April 30, 2011 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm as part of the DEA’s “National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.”

Authorities will be collecting prescription and over the counter medications. However, no injectables, syringes, or illegal drugs will be accepted as part of the program.

According to the DEA, more individual’s abuse prescription drugs than cocaine, heroin, and hallucinogens combined nationwide. These abusers often obtain their pills from home medicine cabinets, family members, or friends.

Since last year, the Sheriff’s Office has collected over 2700 pounds of unused medication. Programs such as this keep these pills out of the hands of those not prescribed the medication as well as protecting the environment by not introducing them into our landfills or water systems.

Location: Various Sheriff’s Patrol Jurisdictions
Date & Time/ April 30, 2011 1000 1400 Hours
Unit Responsible: Sheriff’s Administration
Officer Preparing Release: Captain Mike Aranda
Follow-up Contact: Captain Mike Aranda
Approved By: Captain Bruce Macedo

Ebell Will Be Presenting "A Hawaiian Luau" Theme For April 26th, Program Luncheon And Meeting.

Our Feature performer is Gary Baker, a accomplished Steel Guitarist who has been performing for 63 years. With him will be two of his sons,Gary Jr. who plays rhythm guitar and sings some vocal solos, and Greg Baker, a popular musician, singer and song writer, will be playing the electric keyboards and singing.

They will be doing a variety of music styles with Hawaiian songs such as "SONG OF THE ISLANDS, HARBOR LIGHTS, BEYOND THE REEF, BLUE HAWAII, HAWAIIAN WEDDING SONG, AND TO YOU SWEET ALOHA. They will also be playing and singing some gospel favorites such as "IT IS NO SECRET WHAT GOD CAN DO, I'LL FLY AWAY, AMAZING GRACE
AND PRECIOUS LORD TAKE MY HAND.

Come and open the spring with EBELL CLUB and get in the spirit of enjoying great music right here in Fillmore at the Veteran's Memorial Building, 511 Second Street, Fillmore. Call Lavonne Deeter at 805-524-2090 for reservations , lunch and program $12.00, starts at 12:30 and is catered by Dustin Anderson of Double A. For program only starting at 2:00 for $10.00. To join Ebell Club please phone Melodie Stitch at 805-521-1235.

It’s that time of year again…. Fillmore High School Hall of Fame is seeking nominations for our 2011 Inductees. Anyone that would like to submit a name to be nominated please contact Joe Woods at #805-794-7439 or you can mail your nomination to: FHS, Sports Hall of Fame, P.O. Box 697, Fillmore, CA 93016 or contact any of the following committee members, Dick Mosbarger, Class of 1947, John Scoles, Class of 1959, Mike Marostica, Class of 1965, Debbie Basolo-Curnett, Class of 1969, Joe Woods, Class of 1979, Lynn Hasty-Cole, Class of 1985 or Jamie Arundell-Latshaw, Class of 1993. All nominations must be received by no later than June 1, 2011.

FFA member Marc Zavala donating blood at the annual FFA Blood Drive.
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On March 31st, Fillmore FFA hosted our annual Blood Drive at the Fillmore High School. Students above the age of sixteen were given the opportunity to donate blood at the Blood Drive. Throughout the day, the FFA officer team took shifts in handing out “United Blood Service” T-shirts and waters to those who donated blood. Every year, we get so much support from students at this event. Thank you to all who donated and helped save a life.
It may only be April, but members are already starting their fundraisers in order to attend the 2011 National FFA Convention in October. Last Thursday, five students who are interested in attending the convention planted squash and basil at the Beylik Farms. Although planting seeds may seem like a simple task, with the guidance of Mr. Scott Beylik, we learned the important steps that will give the plant a good start and a yummy finish. The students plan to grow different produce and sell the vegetables at the local farmer’s market.

Brooke Aguirre is Fillmore FFA's Chapter Reporter