Ventura, CA - The Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation is holding its 37th annual Benefactors’ Ball on Saturday, Oct. 3, with proceeds going toward the building of the new Community Memorial Hospital.

The event at the Embassy Suites Hotel Mandalay Beach Resort in Oxnard begins at 6 p.m. with cocktails and fine wine, followed by a dinner featuring gourmet cuisine.

The Benefactors’ Ball represents an opportunity for residents to support community-based healthcare. Every year hospital and community leaders from all over Ventura County gather for a night of dining, live music and dancing.

The Embassy Suites Hotel Mandalay Beach Resort is located at 2101 Mandalay Beach Road.

Various levels of sponsorship are available for this event, or tickets may be bought individually, or by table of eight. For more information visit www.benefactorsball.org, or call 805/667-2881.

Eight artists living in Fillmore met to discuss the formation of the Artists Guild of Fillmore with the purpose of promoting fine art produced by local artists. A series of meetings were scheduled to define ways and means to clarify goals. A prime concern is where to show the art and another is to create in people an interest for collecting work by local artists.

Those attending were Judy Dressler (oil painting), Lady Jan Faulkner (multi-media), Lois Freeman-Fox (mixed media), Lynn Hauge (oil and pastel), Joanne King (watercolor), Wana Klasen, (watercolor and mixed media) Virginia Neuman (acrylic and watercolor) and Luanne Perez (watercolor).

The theme of the upcoming Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley Annual Dinner/Auction says it all. Greatness begins with the community, its families and is nurtured at the Boys & Girls Club.

The Club’s Annual Dinner/Auction, scheduled for Saturday, September 26th, is their largest fund raiser of the year, with this year’s goal of $75,000. All of the funds earned at the Dinner/Auction will stay in the local communities the Club serves Santa Paula, Fillmore and Rancho Sespe.

Historically, the event has featured food, wine and travel gift certificates that take local bidders to entertainment spots around the state, from weeklong stays at Lake Tahoe to weekend jaunts to Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. This year will be no different, generous donors have given the Club one week beachfront stays in Ventura County, a return to Lake Tahoe and a weeklong stay in a private home in Palm Desert. Restaurant gift certificates include Jonathan’s at Peirano’s in Ventura and many more from local restaurateurs.

Additional auction items include group dinners at local CONTINUED »

Sponsored by: Parents of Murdered Children, Inc. Ventura County Chapter

Master of Ceremony’s – City of Oxnard, Asst. Chief Scott Whitney

Oxnard, CA – The 3rd annual National Day of Remembrance for Murdered Victims in Ventura County will be on September 25, 2009, at Plaza Park - Oxnard. On this day we as a community will join together to honor the memories of murdered victims and recognize the impact of homicide on surviving family members and friends.

To address our guests and bring awareness and prevention against violence POMC is honored with our guest speaker Denise Brown sister of, Nicole Brown Simpson who was murdered on June 12, 1994. Since early 1995 Denise Brown has traveled to various states speaking on the epidemic of domestic violence. She has addressed university student bodies, men in prison and in batterers' treatment programs, women at risk, church groups and various educational and legislative forums. Ms. Brown has helped raise funds for local shelters all across the country with her appearances, and has assisted in the success of a major project called the Vine System. This Program is an automated victim notification service of the release of batterers from jail or prison.

If your loved one was killed in an act of violence, because of a drunk driver or killed while serving in the military, please join us on eventful and heartwarming day. Ms. Brown will be available CONTINUED »

Conway Spitler

Interesting to talk with friends about their animals. What they feed them. What are the costs! Who is your vet! Who takes the responsibility of caring for this animal? The adults usually turn these responsibilities to their children. But not the costs of having that animal.

Almost everyone enjoys having an animal within their household. And they have great respect for them.

With having an animal comes responsibility--which every animal lover knows and respects and usually passes on their children. The parentsusually turn these responsibilities over to their children. But from time to time we have the difficult situation where a dog, for example, will bark and bark in the very early hours of the morning.
And the barking keeps much of the area under tension. Not to mention the lack of sleep.

Who is going to speak to the barking dog? No one should have to speak to the barking dog but to the owner! The responsibility rests with the parents to see the animal does not disturb the neighborhood with problems of the animal--such as barking in the early hours disturbing the neighborhood.

The Fillmore Ebell Club will be entertained this month by three members of the Celtic Spring fiddle and dance band, at the Veterans Memorial building on September 22, 2009.

Celtic Spring. A burst of energy. Driving music. Riveting dancing. Youthful exuberance. Unparalleled talent all in one family.

Celtic Spring is six siblings who play the fiddle and step-dance, backed by their mom on the keyboard and their dad on percussion.

Celtic Spring's music hails from Ireland, Scotland, and Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. While firmly grounded in the traditions of their ancestors, Celtic Spring's style is all its own.

The six Wood family siblings have spent their lives on stage, bringing their unforgettable performance to live and TV audiences in the millions. They each began learning the fiddle and Irish step dancing at the age of four years old; they hardly remember when they did not play the CONTINUED »

Vision 2020 Civic Pride Committee has awarded the September, “Yard of the Month” award to Gilbert and Peggy Medina at 145 Lora Lane.

The selection is based on visual beauty and a well-kept appearance. The award letter states,” Your efforts to maintain an attractive, welcoming environment in the neighborhood deserve to be rewarded and encouraged…”
Gilbert, the main family gardening enthusiast, has taken the yard from bare dirt in 1962, when they purchased their home, to a yard that is ablaze with colorful annuals like zinnias, focused around a core of geraniums, columbine, coreopsis and roses. Through the years, Gilbert added brick planters and walkways and the Medina’s grandson added to the yard’s charm with his painted signs.

Otto & Sons Nursery generously donate a $25 gift certificate to each award recipient. Enjoy looking at this colorful yard and then join Civic Pride members in making October’s selection!

The Civic Pride Committee meets every third Wednesday of the month at 1:30pm in City Hall and welcomes all to attend and get involved in community improvement projects.

Time is drawing near for the Fillmore Lions Club’s Annual Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 5, 2009. The parade will begin on Central Avenue at Second Street at 1:00 PM and proceed south on Central Avenue to the end of the parade route at Santa Clara Street. The Parade route will be posted “No Parking” from 11:00 am. to approximately 3:00 pm. on the day of the Parade, on Central Avenue from Second Street to Santa Clara. Cooperation from residents is needed to keep vehicles off of the Parade route during that time for the safety of Parade participants and spectators.

According to Fillmore Lions Parade Chairman Dick Diaz, Santa Claus will be in Fillmore in time to ride in the Parade. With Santa Claus in the Parade will be many local children and civic groups ushering in the holiday season. It is still early and there is still plenty of time to become a participant in the Fillmore Lions Club Christmas Parade.

The Christmas Parade is open to first time entrants, long time entrants, individuals, businesses, civic organizations, school bands, church groups and just about any group or person who wants to celebrate the season with a “themed entry”. To be a part of the Christmas CONTINUED »

American Red Cross Lifeguarding course is being offered by the City of Fillmore on September 25-27 and October 2-4. Hours are Fridays 5:30-8:30 PM and Saturdays & Sundays 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. You must be a least 15 years of age to take the course. All participants must pass a prequalifying swim on the first day of class. Cost is $150.00. Class size is limited to 10 people. Once you pass the course you will receive a Red Cross certification in Lifeguarding, First Aid and CPR for the Professional Rescuer. You must sign up at City Hall. For more information go to City Hall or the Fillmore Aquatic Center. Last day to sign up is Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009

Registration Still Open – Sign up at City Hall on Central Ave.
(If you missed the first workshop class, there’s still time to register)
Fillmore’s Parks & Recreation is now conducting the next series of our acting classes teaching all elements of stage acting for television, feature films and commercials. Instructor for this class is Steve Burhoe, Hollywood Acting Coach.

Fillmore is fortunate to have such a talented professional whose experience encompasses more than 30 years of television and movies. Steve has dedicated the last 10 years teaching children and adults all aspects of entertainment. As this is our third workshop series, kids will continue to be trained in improv exercises with scene study and script memorization as well as how to get into commercials and how to find an agent.

Our last 8-week series culminated in a stage performance that took place several weekends ago at the town theatre. The kids put on their best CONTINUED »

Every year the Ventura County Fair enjoys the participation and partnership of generous sponsors from the business community. Some sponsors have been partners for many years while others have just joined the fun. All of the Fair Sponsors give generously to ensure that Fair visitors have a safe and enjoyable Fair experience.
These sponsors help the Fair bring fantastic entertainment to Ventura County and host events that make the Ventura County Fair one of the finest in the state. Sponsors also support the numerous exhibit spaces that showcase the results of Ventura County residents’ creations and accomplishments.

The Official Sponsors for the 2009 Fair were matched with specially chosen venues, events, and activities. Pepsi is host of the Pepsi Community Stage and is also the sponsor of Dollar Days. The Ventura County Star is the sponsor for Porker Flats, the Photography Building and Carnival Wristband Days. Toyota is once again the sponsor of the Livestock Area as well as the Junior Fair Board, Motorsports, and the Rodeo.

A benefactor sponsors each Exhibit Building. Rabobank, true to its roots, is supporting the Agriculture and Floriculture Buildings, which exhibit the fruits, vegetables, flowers and other plants. Because the kitchen is the heart of the home, Kitchen Craft is sponsor of the CONTINUED »

Arnold Schwarzenegger
California State Governor

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced a $100,000 reward for information leading toward the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for setting the Station fire in Los Angeles County.

Full text of the proclamation is below:

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, on August 26, 2009, I proclaimed a State of Emergency in Los Angeles County due to a fire that started on August 26,2009, now known as the Station Fire; and

WHEREAS, the Station Fire has burned approximately 150,000 acres, continues to burn and is not yet contained; and

WHEREAS, two firefighters were killed while fighting the Station Fire in Los Angeles County; and

WHEREAS, state and local officials have determined the cause of the fire is arson; and

WHEREAS, Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca requested that a state reward be offered, in supplement to an existing reward, to encourage individuals with information about this crime to contact law enforcement; and

WHEREAS, public assistance is vital to law enforcement CONTINUED »

The Humane Society of Ventura County will hold its third annual fund-raiser on Sunday, Sept. 27. Proceeds go to the care of animals in need throughout Ventura County.

The “Cats in the Canyon & Hounds in the Hollow” event, which will feature an Italian buffet, entertainment and a silent auction, will run from 2 to 5 p.m. at Boccali’s Restaurant at 3277 Ojai-Santa Paula Road in Ojai. Attendees also will get a chance to visit with animals from the nonprofit’s shelter.

Tickets purchased in advance are $40 for adults and $20 for children 12 and under. Tickets bought on site will be $50 and $25, respectively.

For tickets or more information, call 646-6505.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: 11500 block Chestnut Ridge Street, Moorpark, CA
Date: September 3, 2009

During the early morning hours on September 2, 2009, a resident in the 11500 block of Chestnut Ridge Street in the City of Moorpark discovered that the family dog had been attacked and killed. Subsequent examination revealed that a mountain lion was most likely responsible for the attack.

The area of the attack is adjacent to an undeveloped and natural open-space hillside. The undeveloped hillsides surrounding the communities of Moorpark, Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks are home to many wild animals including mountain lions, coyotes, and bears. Many of these wild animals CONTINUED »

To our Piru and Fillmore Community, Our Teachers and Educators and Parents. We had a wonderful and successful 2008-2009 school year. It has not gone unnoticed of your help and support, devotion, caring hearts with donations and supporting our Fundraisers. We were able to send the children to educational and rewarding field trips. Provide supplies for our kids, office and medical supplies, paint and supplies for the outdoor number chart ,printers, High School Scholarships and so much more. Our traditional year end Dance Festival event for over 50 years now was again successful and a blast. Its a great time for the children with there families to have a fun and safe evening event. For all of us its very rewarding to see everything that has been accomplished and given at Piru School. We again thank each and every one of you and very grateful to all.
I want to also personally thank the group members and teachers I work with in "FOPS. You all are very special people who work hard and dedicate all your energy so that we can succeed. You all are fabulous and rock! I am very appreciative to have you all in my group and in my life.
Again Thank You,
FOPS / Katharine Warring Ponce