Santa Paula, Calf. – June 29, 2010 – Considering the current economic state of the country, feeding your family for a week on just $30 sounds like a dream…but could it soon become a reality? Thanks to local community efforts and a program called The Treasure Box, it already is.

Spirit of Santa Paula, a 501 (c) (3) organization that provides meals to homeless and at risk families in the Santa Paula area, is pleased to announce that it has partnered with The Treasure Box, an economical meal program developed by Good Source Solutions in Carlsbad, Calif. The Treasure Box contains 21 -28 lbs of well-known and popular food brand items to provide a family of four nutritious meals for up to a week or an individual for almost a month. Each Treasure Box contains $75 - $100 worth of delicious, high quality food offered to individuals and families for just $30 per box. The program has no income qualifications or restrictions, and is available to everyone in the community.

Kay Wilson-Bolton, project coordinator at Spirit of Santa Paula, said the organization’s goal is to continue to tap into resources that can help it accomplish its mission to provided meals for homeless and hungry families at risk. To date, Spirit of Santa Paula has provided more than 20,000 meals to individuals and families in Santa Paula.

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Thousand Oaks, CA July 8, 2010 - The Alzheimer’s Association, Ventura County Regional Office will be hosting a Kick-Off Party Thursday, July 8th for the 2010 Thousand Oaks Memory Walk at Conejo Creek North Park next October. Funds raised from the Memory Walk support the free programs and services offered by Alzheimer’s Association throughout Ventura County. This year’s goal is $71,000.
At this Kick-Off, people interested in participating in the 2010 Thousand Oaks Memory Walk on Saturday, October 2 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon will receive information about the Walk, how to start a Team and/or how to join a Team. The event will take place at BJ’s Restaurant and Brewery at 3955 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd from 5:30 – 7 p.m. with light refreshments, non-alcoholic drinks and great raffle prizes! For more information, please call (805) 484-6028.

About the Alzheimer’s Association
The Alzheimer’s Association signature event, Memory Walk is the nation's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research — and it calls on people of all ages to take action in the fight. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's disease.

For more information, please contact Angie Rosen at (805)484-6028 or visit www.alz.org/cacentralcoast.

Community Memorial Hospital is offering free blood pressure screenings in its main lobby every Monday, from noon to 2 p.m., beginning in July through its HeartAware and StrokeAware programs.

No appointment is necessary; walk-ins are welcomed.

The American Heart Association recommends routine periodic screening for high blood pressure since the condition does not have any symptoms and is often known as the “silent killer.” In fact, many people have high blood pressure for years without knowing that it may be causing damage to your arteries, heart and other organs. The AHA reports that many people assume that high blood pressure is related to high levels of stress, tension and nervousness, but the truth is relaxed, easy-going people can still have it.

The only way for people to know if they are hypertensive is to have their blood pressure checked. High blood pressure can develop over time, and there are many treatment options available to manage the disease. Prompt treatment can reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, angina and congestive heart failure. Andrea Ricketts, MSN, NP, CMH’s HeartAware/Stroke Aware Program Manager states “with regular tracking of your blood pressure, along with knowledge of potential consequences and participation in programs such as StrokeAware can help motivate individuals to better care for their arteries and live a heart healthy lifestyle.”
The screenings are provided free of charge through Community Memorial Hospital ’s HeartAware and StrokeAware programs. For more information, call 805/667-2818 or visit www.cmhshealth.org.

Community Memorial Hospital is a member of Community Memorial Health System, 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.

Bert Rapp, the City of Fillmore Public Works Director will lead an engineering bicycle tour of Fillmore on Sunday June 27th. The tour is intended for High School or Junior College students looking for a career choice and might be interested in Civil Engineering.

The tour will begin at City Hall at 1:00 and travel to the various public infrastructure facilities around the city and return to City hall about 5:00. Participants will see how we get our drinking water and deliver it to the customers. They will learn how the Foothill Pressure Zone saves the water customers $40,000 a year in electricity costs and how water reservoirs are designed for seismic forces.

Pole Creek will give up some of its hydraulic secrets and the mighty Santa Clara River’s geomorphology will be uncovered. Participants will learn how the city engineers design environmentally friendly flood protection along the river and how the sidewalks can be constructed to be root resistant to street trees.

Keeping streets safe in a small town is essential, so as we ride we will discuss traffic calming techniques and look at some of the improvements the City of Fillmore has made.

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On Thursday, June 17, 2010, Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. joined the California Department of Real Estate and the State Bar of California to warn homeowners about an alarming rise in short sale fraud across California in a field "rife with scam artists".

A short sale is an arrangement in which a homeowner sells his or her home for less than the outstanding mortgage, with the consent of the lender.

"While short sales can provide homeowners with a last-ditch alternative to foreclosure, this market is rife with scam artists," Brown said. "Homeowners and buyers, agents, and lenders should beware of short sale negotiators who operate without licenses, use straw buyers or charge illegal fees."

With so many homeowners now considering short sales, an entire industry of so-called short sale negotiators has emerged. These individuals solicit homeowners by promising to expedite the process and help coax lenders into taking part in the transaction.

The Department of Real Estate is investigating more than 40 complaints of short sale fraud, up from "virtually zero" cases only three months ago, a spokesman said.

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Youth For Understanding (YFU) is a worldwide movement of committed individuals and organizations working together to prepare young people for their responsibilities and challenges in a changing, interdependent global community.

Each year YFU places a large number of international exchange students with local families while they attend the local high school and extra-curricular activities. More than 2,000 YFU students come to the US from about 50 countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, North and South America and the Pacific.

Contact YFU today if you think hosting will be an enriching experience for your entire family that will last a lifetime. By opening your home and heart to a student from overseas, your family will gain a new global perspective, many memories, and - quite possibly - a new family member!

To become a host family this upcoming school year or find out more about YFU please call 1-866-4-YFUUSA (866-493-8872) or visit us at www.yfu-usa.org

Since the Fourth of July holiday falls on Sunday this year, Santa Clara Valley Disposal will maintain its regular Friday trash and recyclables collection schedule for Fillmore customers on July 9.
For more information, call 647-1414.

Camarillo, CA July 7, 2010 – The Alzheimer’s Association’s, California Central Coast Chapter will be hosting a free seminar on Memory Loss & Aging on Wednesday, July 7, 2010 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Find out how memory works, the changes in memory as we age, and tips on how to maintain and improve your memory. Bring your brown bag lunch. Seminar will be held at 80 North Wood Road, Suite 302 in Camarillo

Don’t miss out on this excellent educational opportunity!

For more information or make a reservation, please call (805) 484-6028 or visit www.alz.org/cacentralcoast.

About the Alzheimer’s Association:
Our mission is to provide and enhance care and support for all those affected by Alzheimer’s, to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health and to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research. The California Central Coast Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association has offices in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties and serves over 40,000 Alzheimer’s patients and their families every year. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s.

Oxnard, CA. June 18, 2010-The Alzheimer’s Association’s, California Central Coast Chapter will be hosting a kick-off party for the 2010 Oxnard Memory Walk at Channel Islands Harbor. During this event, people interested in participating in the Oxnard 2010 Memory Walk will receive information regarding the walk, how to start a team and/or how to join a team. The event will have light refreshments, non-alcoholic drinks and great raffle prizes! The event will take place on Thursday, June 24, 2010 at Bj’s Restaurant and Brewery at 461 West Esplanade Drive in Oxnard from 5:30 – 7 p.m.

About the Alzheimer’s Association
The Alzheimer’s Association signature event, Memory Walk is the nation's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research — and it calls on people of all ages to take action in the fight. The 2010 Oxnard Memory Walk will take place on Saturday, October 2, 2010 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's disease.

For more information, please contact Angie Rosen at (805)484-6028 or visit www.alz.org/cacentralcoast.

Suzanne Cole

Santa Paula, CA. - Santa Clara Valley Bank (SCVBank; OTC BB: SCVE.OB) today announced that Ms. Suzanne Cole has been elected to its Board of Directors. Cole replaces Mr. Leo Bartley, who was a Founding Director, serving for over 10 years.

Ms. Cole is a partner and office manager for her family’s farming operation, Cole Ranches, which grows avocados and lemons in Santa Paula. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Business from Cal Poly State University San Luis Obispo. Ms. Cole is a past director of Tropical Hawaiian Products and is currently on the board of Timber Canyon Mutual Water Company. She is a member of California Women for Agriculture, a group dedicated to the survival of agriculture in today’s changing world.

Chairman Ralph De Leon commented, “We will miss Leo’s leadership, especially in the area of technology, but we are excited that Suzanne is joining the Board, and anticipate her significant contributions for years to come”.

Mr. Bartley was presented with a memento at the annual shareholder meeting, thanking him for his service and unwavering dedication to SCVBank.

Suzanne Cole stated, CONTINUED »

The Fillmore Women's Service Club presented Educational Scholarships to 4 High School Seniors at a luncheon held at El Pescador Restaurant on May 26th.

Fillmore High School Seniors Megan Louth and Kelsey MacDonald each received $1,500.00; Samantha Mchammel and Kevin Brock each received a $1,000 Scholarship. Danielle Rojo (not able to attend) was awarded the Continuing Educational Award.

The FWSC would like to thank the community for supporting their Fire Works Booth which allows us to present these awards.

Susan Banks, 4th V. President, Scholarship Chair, Fillmore Women’s Service Club.

Young people who have been in foster care as well as students preparing for public-service careers received inaugural awards from two new scholarship funds during the Ventura County Community Foundation’s Scholarship Awards Reception earlier this month.

The new TEACh Opportunity Scholarship Fund for former foster kids and the John and Agnes McFarlane Scholarship Funds for future public servants were among the 315 awards handed out at the Community Foundation event attended by more than 500 students, family members, educators and donors at the Ventura County Office of Education in Camarillo.

The new TEACh, or Training and Education Achievement by Children Opportunity Scholarship, and McFarlane awards join the family of 98 scholarship funds at VCCF.

“Each scholarship started at the Community Foundation speaks to the vision and generosity of a donor who invests in the future of Ventura County by investing in the education of its young people,” said Hugh Ralston, VCCF president and CEO. “Our donors know if you want to change lives for generations to come, give motivated young people the opportunity to achieve their dreams.”

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Experience the joy of performing on stage with one performance of “The Wiz” on Aug. 7th, at the Sespe Auditorium.
This summer, Sespe Players Inc. has an amazing camp where children can grow and advance their dancing, singing and acting skills in an exciting and popular musical, “The Wiz”, based on the “Wonderful Wizard of Oz”. No previous training required.

Camp Hours are Wednesday, Thursday and Fridays from 4-7 pm. Rehearsals will take place at the First United Methodist Church Social Hall, 421 Sespe Avenue in Fillmore.

You will love this top-notch instructor, Catrina Quintanilla, who has lots to offer our children since she has directed and choreographed hundreds of musicals! We are so fortunate to have Ms. Quintanilla’s expertise and enormous talent here in Fillmore and surrounding cities teaching our kids this wonderful craft of Musical Theater!

COST FOR SUMMER CAMP: $300 PER CHILD ($275 for siblings) (9 hours a week – Money well spent!)
REGISTER BY JUNE 30TH. We will only be enrolling 25 kids for this program so that each child will get the quality attention she or he deserves … So hurry to reserve your spot! Ages 7-18.
TO SIGN UP PLEASE CALL: Priscilla Rzezuski (805) 524-0553 OR EMAIL : PRZEZUSKI@ATT.NET