Cal Fire

Sacramento, CA. – Smoke alarms are such a common feature in homes across California that it is easy to take them for granted. Tragically nearly two-thirds of residential fire deaths occur in homes without working smoke alarms. To help reduce these losses, CAL FIRE and the Office of the State Fire Marshal are reminding all Californians to change the batteries in their smoke alarms when turning forward the clock this Saturday night in observance of Daylight Saving Time.

When smoke alarms fail to operate, it is usually because batteries are missing, disconnected or dead.

“Working smoke alarms greatly reduce the likelihood of residential fire-related fatalities by providing an early audible warning, alerting occupants and giving them an opportunity to safely escape,” said Acting State Fire Marshal Tonya Hoover.

That’s critical because 85 percent of all fire deaths occur in the home, and the majority occur at night when most people are sleeping.

“Smoke alarms unquestionably help save lives, but a smoke alarm is nothing without a working battery inside of it” said Chief Ken Pimlott, acting director of CAL FIRE. “Just a few minutes twice a year to change that battery can truly mean the difference between life and death.”

CAL FIRE has the following tips on smoke alarms:
• Test smoke alarms once a month.
• Replace batteries in all smoke alarms twice a year.
• Don’t “borrow” or remove batteries from smoke alarms even temporarily.
• Regularly vacuum or dust smoke alarms to keep them working properly.
• Replace smoke alarms every 10 years.
• Don’t paint over smoke alarms.
• Practice family fire drills so everyone knows what to do if the smoke alarm goes off.

Find more information visit the CAL FIRE Web site at www.fire.ca.gov.

On February 27 & 28th Alexus Galassi 13’ and Brooke Aguirre 13’ attended the 2011 South Coast Regional Officer Screening in San Luis Obispo, in the attempt to be selected to run for an officer position on the 2010-2011 Regional team. The South Coast Region consists of students from Monterey Bay to Canoga Park. The region is represented by a team of eleven students throughout that area. During the screening process the 42 applicants participated in ice breakers, relay races, team building activities and impromptu speeches. The applicants where also interviewed by three past regional officers. The screening process was to evaluate the applicants personalities and leadership qualities. After waiting a nerve-racking two hours for the retiring regional officers to deliberate, the applicants were seated to announce the slated positions. Alexus is slated for the 2011-2012 Regional Reporter position, and Brooke is slated for the 2011-2012 Regional Vice President for Ventura Section position. Both members will be running against their opponents at the South Coast Regional Meeting on March 18th. There, they will give a two minute speech, answer a thirty second question and hand out flyers to the delegates.

Brooke Aguirre is the Fillmore FFA Chapter Reporter

Location: Santa Clara Valley Job & Career Center, 725 E. Main Street, Santa Paula, 805-933-8452

Thursday, April 7 - Resumes that Sell, 9 am – 4 pm - Workshop providing hands-on assistance in completing a resume, cover and thank-you letters. Walk away with a portfolio that shows off professional skills and experience. Career Shops are offered at no cost to Job Seekers. Space is limited. Prior registration required by calling the Santa Clara Valley Job & Career Center at 805-933-8452 to enroll.

Thursday, April 14 - Winning Interviews, 9 am – 4 pm - Supplies the tools to make a lasting first impression when interviewing. Career Shops are offered at no cost to Job Seekers. Space is limited. Prior registration required by calling the Santa Clara Valley Job & Career Center at 805-933-8452 to enroll.

Monday, April 25 - Power of VOS (Virtual OneStop), 9 am – 11:00 am – Learn about the Virtual OneStop website and how you can use the various tools in the system to build your resume and customize your job search to a specific location and occupation. Must have basic computer skills. Career Shops are offered at no cost to Job Seekers. Space is limited. Prior registration required by calling the Santa Clara Valley Job & Career Center at 805-933-8452 to enroll.

Spanish language workshop:
Monday, April 4 - Tecnicas para la Busqueda de Trabajo (Job Search Techniques), 8:30 am – 1 pm - Esta diseñada para personas que estan buscando empleo. Los temas incluyen donde y como buscar empleo, como crear una red de comunicacion, tecnicas de como usar el teléfono apropriadamente para buscar empleo y como usar la red del internet para buscar empleo. Tambien aprendera tecnicas apropriadas para hacer un entrevista.También aprenderá técnicas apropiadas para hacer una entrevista. 805-933-8452.

Career Shops are presented in partnership with Ventura County Job & Career Centers and are sponsored by the Human Services Agency and the Workforce Investment Board. Equal opportunity Employer/Program/Service – TDD/TT Inquiries call 1 (800) 735-2922. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individual with disabilities.

The Gypsy Folk Ensemble will present tuneful Irish songs and dances in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. Don your green outfits and come in for a fun afternoon of Irish culture. Program and refreshments are provided by the Fillmore Friends of the Library. The celebration begins at 3:30, on Tuesday, March 15 at the 502 E. Second Street address. Phone 524-3355 for further information.

LOS ANGELES, CA. - Refunds totaling more than $129 million may be waiting for nearly 124,000 Californians who did not file a federal income tax return for 2007, the Internal Revenue Service announced. However, to collect the money, a return for 2007 must be filed with the IRS no later than Monday, April 18, 2011.

The IRS estimates that these potential 2007 refunds are $597 or more.

Nationally, 1.1 billion may be waiting for nearly 1.1 million people who failed to file a 2007 federal income tax return.

Some people may not have filed because they had too little income to require filing a tax return even though they had taxes withheld from their wages or made quarterly estimated payments. In cases where a return was not filed, the law provides most taxpayers with a three-year window of opportunity for claiming a refund. If no return is filed to claim a refund within three years, the money becomes property of the U.S. Treasury.

For 2007 returns, the window closes on April 18, 2011. The law requires that the return be properly addressed, mailed and postmarked by that date. There is no penalty for filing a late return qualifying for a refund.
The IRS reminds taxpayers seeking a 2007 refund that their checks will be held if they have not filed tax returns for 2008 and 2009. In addition, the refund will be applied to any amounts still owed to the IRS, and may be used to offset unpaid child support or past due federal debts such as student loans.

By failing to file a return, people stand to lose more than a refund of taxes withheld or paid during 2007. In addition, many low-and-moderate income workers may not have claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The EITC helps individuals and families whose incomes are below certain thresholds, which in 2007 were $39,783 for those with two or more children, $35,241 for people with one child, and $14,590 for those with no children. For more information, visit the EITC Home Page.

Current and prior year tax forms and instructions are available on the Forms and Publications page of IRS.gov or by calling toll-free 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676). Taxpayers who are missing Forms W-2, 1098, 1099 or 5498 for 2007, 2008 or 2009 should request copies from their employer, bank or other payer. If these efforts are unsuccessful, taxpayers can get a free transcript showing information from these year-end documents by calling 1-800-908-9946, or by filing Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return, with the IRS.

Richard Pidduck's barn on Santa Paula Creek Ranch, guarded here by Cosmo, is on the Santa Clara Valley Hospice Barns, Ranches and Home Tour on March 12, 2011. Gail Pidduck's art studio is also on the tour.
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Esther and George Tamayo stand in front of their 8,000-square-foot house they built 19 years ago on Lingdooley Ranch in Santa Paula. Their home and barn are among four stops on the Barns, Ranches and Homes tour to benefit Santa Clara Vally Hospice on March 12, 2011.
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Three historic Santa Paula ranches, three barns, two homes, an art studio and barbecue at Limoneira Ranch are the scheduled stops on March 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., as part of the Barns, Ranches and Homes tour of Santa Clara Valley Hospice/Home Support Group Inc. The hospice serves Fillmore and Piru. The $25 cost of the tour includes a barbecue from noon to 2 p.m. at the picnic area of Limoneira Co., 1141 Cummings Road. While there, visitors will have a chance to visit the historic Limoneira general store, which is now a visitor center. (Cost is $30 the day of the tour.) Ventura County Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers will be barbecuing.

On the tour are Esther and George Tamayo's home and barn off Foothill Road. A shuttle will take visitors there from Limoneira ranch. Gail and Richard Pidduck's ranch is on Rafferty Road, off Santa Paula-Ojai Road. The Axell ranch is at 14732 W. Telegraph Road. Scores of tractors belonging to members of the Topa Topa Flywheelers Antique Gas Engine and Tractor Club will also be on show at each of the ranches.

Tour sponsors are Calavo Growers Inc.; Santa Paula Chevrolet; Ben Curtis; Fallini Graphics; Santa Paula Times; and Enterprise Car Rentals.

In Fillmore, tickets may be purchased at Mimstar, 358 Central Ave., and Up in Arms, 328 Central Ave. In Santa Paula: Brownie's Basement, 866 E. Main St.; the Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce at the Santa Paula Depot, 200 N. 10th St.; the Santa Paula Times, 944 E. Main St.; and Santa Clara Valley Hospice, 133 N. Mill St. In Ventura: Hallmark Shop Lautzenhiser's, 1730 S. Victoria Ave. Or send a check and self-addressed, stamped envelope to P.O. Box 365, Santa Paula, CA 93061. Make checks payable to SCV Hospice.

Walking shoes are recommended; no high heels. For more information, call 525-1333.

Fillmore High Alumni Association

The February issue of the alumni newsletter, "Flashbacks" is in the mail and you who subscribe to it, or are Life Members, should receive your copy early next week. If you do not receive one, please contact the alumni office at 805-524-0416 or at staff@fillmorehighalumni.com.

The February Alumni Board meeting was held Monday, February 21 at the home of Marla DeZavala, with all members but two in attendance. The financial report showed that the three accounts of the alumni association--the General Fund, the Scholarship Foundation and the Life Endowment are in good shape, but additional funds are always needed.

The class pictures that are displayed during the alumni dinner in June are being reframed as the old frames are twenty years old and are not in good condition to be transported and hung many more times. It was determined that the alumni would not sponsor a golf tournament this year prior to the alumni dinner because Elkins Ranch Golf Course was not available. Barry Thompson is in charge of this event and will schedule it for the 2012 banquet weekend.

It was decided to CONTINUED »

Grad Nite Live has the "Storage Yard" back now, with an Encroachment Permit. We have made the necessary changes that the City Council had directed us to do so the 'Fire Dept' has their needed 22 feet for the fire truck. The only thing left to do is for the City Council/City Manager and or Chief Rigo to bring 2 cargo containers to the storage yard for Grad Nite Live's replacements as was directed by the City Council Dec. 14th. These containers will store the yard sale stuff for our event the 23rd of April.

We are accepting CARS. RV'S, BOATS etc. Anything that will sell or even that you need to be hauled away - free.
Our fund raisers 'Sandwich Meal tickets and Attractions Spa packets are being sold now by the Senior students, or call April Hastings 524-7722 or Mrs. Chaney 524-4909 and 407-5759

Please help us meet our needed $21,500. We are in MARCH already and Graduation is June 2, 2011.

The Donation Letters are going out now to all the organizations, business etc, etc.

Thank you,
Mrs. Chaney

Our most recent speaker, Mario de la Piedra, spoke of and showed many photos of his trip, with his wife, Virginia, to China. He will be returning to speak on their travels to Vietnam, Japan, Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries. On Tuesday, February 22, the Sun Risers were shown spectacular photos by John Nehrig of his trip, with his wife, to Africa last September. The photos included every African animal you can imagine. John told the Club the only animal they wanted to see but didn’t was a rhino. The month of March is Rotary Literacy Month. Club members will be hearing from new school board members and school principals. The Club meets every Tuesday morning at 7:00 AM at El Pescador Restaurant. For more information call Irma at 794-2353.

The Sun Risers will be holding our first annual Casino Night on Friday, April 29 at El Pescador Restaurant from 6:00-9:00 PM. There will be lots of appetizers provided by El Pescador. There will be Vegas-style gaming tables - craps, black jack, roulette, poker! There will be prizes and raffles and a silent auction. No host bar. Tickets are $25 per person. This is a FUN fund raiser!! You can purchase tickets from any Sun Riser Rotarian or at El Pescador. For more information call Eric at 805-744-2967.

The Club is also sponsoring an annual 5-K Run/Fun Walk on Saturday, May 21. You can register for the run by going online – www.active.com. Registration forms will also be available this week throughout town. For more information call Joe at 524-6881.

All funds raised go to support Sun Riser Rotary projects like: Dictionaries to all 3rd grade students in FUSD (we hand them out annually); scholarships to FHS and Sierra H.S. seniors; car seat project; FHS Career Day; RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) leadership camp; Relay for Life; Condor Track Team; FMS Youth Act Club; FHS Interact Club; Piru Elementary Leadership Camp; San Cayetano Robotics, to name a few. International Projects include water project with Camarillo Rotary Club and PolioPlus project to eradicate Polio worldwide. The 5-K Run/Walk also raises funds for FUSD fitness programs through Up for Education.

Rotary International is the world's first service club organization, with more than 1.2 million members in 33,000 clubs worldwide. Rotary club members are volunteers who work locally, regionally, and internationally to combat hunger, improve health and sanitation, provide education and job training, promote peace, and eradicate polio under the motto Service Above Self.

Ojai, CA. - The causes and diagnosis of three vascular disorders – peripheral arterial disease, carotid stenosis and abdominal aortic aneurysm – as well as the advances in their treatment will be the focus of a free seminar Community Memorial Health System is holding on Saturday, March 12.

Kevin Major, M.D., who specializes in vascular surgery, will lead the seminar that will be held from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in the Soule Park banquet room at 1033 East Ojai Ave in Ojai. Dr. Major will cover the following:

 Peripheral arterial disease, which is poor circulation to the legs and is a common cause of leg pain brought on with walking. Untreated PAD can progress to the point of limb loss.
 Carotid stenosis, the narrowing of the arteries in the neck that supply blood to the brain and a common cause of stroke. When the narrowing reaches a certain point, treatment is warranted.
 Abdominal aortic aneurysm, an abdominal enlargement of the aorta in the abdomen. Current or former tobacco use in significant amounts is a common cause of AAA. Undiagnosed and untreated AAA can progress and rupture.

Dr. Major, a member of the Community Memorial Hospital medical staff, is board-certified in vascular surgery, surgical critical care and general surgery. He received his medical degree from the Medical College of Ohio in Toledo and received advanced fellowship training at the University of Southern California and the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Admission is free, but space is limited, so reservations are suggested. Call 805/640-2355, or visit www.cmhshealth.org/rsvp.

This event is co-sponsored by the Rotary Club of Ojai.

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

Fair Theme is "The Bounty of the County"

Ventura, CA - The Ventura County Fair is having a poster contest for the 2011 Ventura County Fair. The contest is open to young artists in grades 5 - 12 who reside in Ventura County.

"The Fair brings out the child in everyone," says Barbara Quaid, Ventura County Fairgrounds CEO, "what better way to express those wonderful feelings than through the imagination of Ventura County Children!"

The theme of the 2011 Fair is "The Bounty of the County" and will serve as the only guideline to the imagery. Artwork may be created in any medium but may not be 3 dimensional.

Cash Prizes of $500, $250 and $100 will be awarded to the top 3 winners and every child who enters will receive a pair of Ventura County Fair admission tickets. All children who enter will be invited to ride on the Junior Fair Board float in the Ventura County Fair Parade.

Winning images will be used for the official 2011 Ventura County Fair collectable art poster and for the 2011 Ventura County Fair marketing poster as well as in other marketing materials.

There is a $10 fee to enter. Deadline for Entries is Thursday March 31, 2011.

The Ventura County Fair begins on Wednesday August 3. The Fair continues until Sunday, August 14.

For more information about the Fair, or the poster contest, please call the Ventura County Fairgrounds at 648-3376 x110 or visit www.venturacountyfair.org.

WHO: Ventura County Children in grades 5-12
WHAT: Ventura County Fair Poster Art Contest
WHEN: Deadline is March 31
WHERE: Ventura County Fairgrounds, 648-3376 or www.venturacountyfair.org
WHY: To give Ventura County children the opportunity to get involved in the Fair in a creative and rewarding way!

WASHINGTON — In its latest effort to help struggling taxpayers, the Internal Revenue Service today announced a series of new steps to help people get a fresh start with their tax liabilities.

The goal is to help individuals and small businesses meet their tax obligations, without adding unnecessary burden to taxpayers. Specifically, the IRS is announcing new policies and programs to help taxpayers pay back taxes and avoid tax liens.

“We are making fundamental changes to our lien system and other collection tools that will help taxpayers and give them a fresh start,” IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman said. “These steps are good for people facing tough times, and they reflect a responsible approach for the tax system.”

Today’s announcement centers on the IRS making important changes to its lien filing practices that will lessen the negative impact on taxpayers. The changes include:

• Significantly increasing the dollar threshold when liens are generally issued, resulting in fewer tax liens.
• Making it easier for taxpayers to CONTINUED »

VENTURA, CA - Straight Up Ventura County wants to hear from youth about making a stand and raising one's voice against the issues surrounding underage and binge drinking and impaired driving.

Young people ages 12-25 are invited to create a video around the subject of speaking out to peers, to parents, to teachers, about making bad decisions about drinking.

"Some people think underage and binge drinking is okay," says Katherine Kasmir, Program Director of Straight Up, a youth development project in Ventura County. "But teens are hurting their bodies, their brains, their families, and their futures. If we want things to change, we all need to speak up. And it's important that we hear the voices, concerns and ideas from our local young people."

Short videos (30-90 seconds) are preferred, but longer videos are welcome as well. The subject matter and tone can be serious or humorous, as longs as the video deals with the powering of speaking up.

A grand prize of $500 will be awarded. The deadline is April 29, 2011 and winners notified by May11.

Downloadable rules and guidelines CONTINUED »

Weights and measures inspectors are rising to the challenge of new technologies in the marketplace. Technology can pass us by in the blink of an eye and the latest innovations in weighing and measuring are no exception. For regulatory officials who are responsible for oversight of software driven electronics that measure our fuel and weigh our food, education is always a top priority. In recognition of their dedication and importance to our society, the National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM) celebrates Weights and Measures Week, Weights and Measures: Educating Today for Tomorrow, March 1-7, 2011.

"This date is significant as it marks the signing of the first weights and measures law by John Adams on March 2, 1799," said Angela Godwin, Ventura County Sealer. "During the 212 years that have passed since that day, Weights and Measures officials have seen advancements from mechanical devices to highly sophisticated software-based weighing and measuring instruments. Today’s inspectors represent a new generation of highly trained officials with expertise ranging from software security to motor fuel chemistry.”

Weights and Measures week is CONTINUED »

FFA members with South Coast Regional Advisor Mr. Greg Beard and Mr. Ricards at the Ventura Sectional Competition.
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The Made for Excellence (MFE) and Advanced Leadership Academy (ALA) conferences were held last week and hosted by the California State FFA Officers. Mr. Ricards and our chaperon Rose Martin hauled eight FFA members to Visalia for the night to have an amazing experience. The theme for both conferences was Knowledge is Power. Zahydie Martin, ’12, Jennifer Martin, ’13 and Anthony Perez, ’12 attended MFE which was led by State Officers Casey Erickson, Jacqueline Garcia and Lindsay Anderson. They were divided up into different groups and worked on various team activities, like an obstacle course in which the team was blind folded except for the captain who led them to safety. The members were encouraged to identify their strengths and interests so they could combine them to discover the goals they could achieve. Mean while, Ashley Jackson, ‘11, Candace Stines, ‘12, Alexus Galassi, ‘13, Brandon Pina, ‘12 and Brooke Aguirre, ’13, were busy attending ALA which was led by State Officers Ben Graham, Vince Pellegri and Jessica Vazquez. At the conference, the officers talked about problem solving. Students discovered three important needs our state has which included water, alternative resources and food safety. Then they gained knowledge on these issues and made plans of attacks to fix these problems. The room was energized to the extreme as members participated in team contests like game show quizzes and a dance competition. Everyone who attended MFE and ALA had an amazing time and can’t wait for the 2011 California State FFA Conference in April!

Last Wednesday the Fillmore Chapter attended the Ventura Section Public Speaking, Job Interview and Cooperative (Co-op) Quiz Competition at Camarillo High School. As a chapter, Fillmore placed 4th for the Co-op Quiz. Alexus Galassi, ’13, placed 3rd for Prepared Public Speaking, her speech was arguing the importance of Certified VS. Uncertified Farmer’s Markets. She also placed 1st in Job Interview. Brooke Aguirre, ’13, placed 2nd in Prepared Public Speaking, her speech was on Farm Theft and ways to prevent becoming a victim. Alexus and Brooke will be attending the South Coast Regional Meeting on March 8th to compete in Prepared Public Speaking against others in the region. Congratulations Fillmore FFA members!

After the heavy rains this past weekend, members took advantage of the sunshine Monday morning to clean the school farm in preparation for the Tractor Competition this Saturday. Wish us luck as we show off our tractor skills to other FFA Chapters!

Brooke Aguirre is the Fillmore FFA Chapter Reporter