On September 26th, from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, Ventura County Medical Center will throw a celebration to recognize all of the ‘graduates’ of their award-winning neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), dating back 35 years, when the NICU opened its doors. The event is open to all residents of Ventura County who were born at VCMC and spent any time in the NICU, as well as family and friends. The event will take place directly in back of the hospital, at 3291 Loma Vista Road, on both the lawn and parking lot. There will be a variety of entertaining and educational booths of interest to all ages.

In addition to food and music there will be a petting zoo, activities for children, and information for new and expectant moms, as well as important health information.
Those who are graduates of the NICU will be recognized throughout the day and the festival atmosphere promises to be fun for the entire family.

When the VCMC NICU first opened back in 1974, it was the first NICU between Los Angeles and Stanford Medical Center. Today upwards of 20,000 children have passed through the NICU at VCMC, and the hospital looks forward to honoring them – and their families – on September 26th.

For more information on this event, please call 805-652-6014 or 652-6693.

Date: September 2, 2009
Time: 1 pm
Place: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 117 N. Seventh Street, Santa Paula, CA 93060
Program: Ms. Midge Stork, Vision and Progress of the Botanical Garden, Ventura, CA.
New Members Welcome—Call Millie 524-1485 or Linda 524-3021

OXNARD, Calif.—Hundreds of classic cars are heading to the Channel Islands Harbor for the Ventura Vintage Rods Harbor Run 19. Shiny muscle cars including 57 Chevys, T-Birds, GTOs, Mustangs, and Camaros, to coupes from the 1930s with rumble seats, along with an array of pick-up trucks ranging from the 1950s to mid-1970s are some of the classic cars that will be on display from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Sept. 13 at Harborview Park in Channel Islands Harbor.

Close to 300 classic cars will be entered in Harbor Run 19 – all dating before 1975. “We really have something for everyone,” said Charlie Roark, Ventura Vintage Rods’ president. “All cars are American made and there’s always a wide variety on display.”

Event attendance is free to the public; there is a $20 fee to enter a vintage car in the event. Several trophies will be handed out, along with raffle prizes and a 50/50 drawing. All proceeds benefit local charities. Last year the event raised more than $12,000, according to Roark, and they’re hoping to raise more this year. Year-round, Ventura Vintage Rods helps raise money to donate to local charities, such as Oxnard Police K9 Unit, Victory Outreach and local food banks. CONTINUED »

In observance of the Labor Day holiday, employees of Santa Clara Valley Disposal will be taking the day off on Monday, Sept. 7. As a result, Fillmore city residential customers will have their trash and green waste collected one day later than usual, on Saturday, Sept. 12.

The regular Friday collection schedule will resume the following week.

For more information, call 647-1414.

Louis Gabrielsen

Congratulations to Louis Gabrielsen who was recognized for his 75-year membership in Freemasonry. Shown are Grand
Master of California Masons Larry Adamson, and Vernon Dandridge, Assistant Grand Lecturer of Area V. Gabrielsen
received a certificate of accomplishment, a replica set of Masonic tools from the Grand Master, and a lapel pin. Gabrielsen, 96, became a Mason in 1934 and is a member of East San Diego Masonic Lodge #561. Gabrielsen was a tax accountant in Fillmore for 50-plus years.

Enlarge Photo

Enlarge Photo

Story courtesy Annette Cardona, Community Services Supervisor.

The Memorial Building bathroom construction started April 27, 2009 and the estimated completion day will be
September 4, 2009. Both bathrooms were gutted out to the concrete on the floor, the plumbing and electrical have
both been replaced, a wall was knocked out extending the men’s bathroom all the way to the dinning room, the entry door to the women’s restroom was moved over about two feet, and the front entry doors have been moved and replaced.

Also, the entry way was changed to make it handicap accessible with a ramp, and the wall outside the women’s restroom was redone, the boards with dry rot were replaced, the hole on the outside wall has been dry walled and
the wall will be repainted. All the toilets, partitions, sinks, and light fixtures will all be brand new along with all the other bathroom necessities needed.

The Fillmore-Piru Veterans Memorial Building Bathroom Project is paid for by RDA monies and CDBG MONIES. The cost of the project will be $207,220.69 without any additional change orders for the project.

In conjunction with the Fillmore Historical Museum we are attempting to begin a tribute to the Performing Arts in Fillmore and Piru.

Remember that great Christmas Program you participated in at school? Remember the Spring Operetta you were in at Sespe School? How about the Senior Play you participated in during your senior year? How about the Piru Dance Festival held each year? We are seeking written remembrances, photos ( be sure and identify the year, the place and the names of those pictured), programs, scripts and posters.

We plan to organize and exhibit paying tribute to all performing arts both in Fillmore and Piru. We hope to honor those who actively encouraged the arts. Mr. Mozley, Bea Albright, Don Ospenson, John and Mysrt Brothers, Phil Catalano, the Sespe Players, and the Fillmore Soroptomists are just some of the people and organizations we hope to honor. Please provided additional names and organizations if you can.

Please spend a little time and junt for artifacts we can use. If you have questions or need more information don't hesitate to contact one of the following: Ken Mittan kennethmittan@yahoo.com; Judy Towner judytee@aol.com ; Lucy Rangel tangelfan@roadrunner.com ; Susan Dollar dkdollar@prodgy.net.

Thanks for all you guys to assist the growing of the Arts in Fillmore.

Ventura County businesses can take advantage of the expertise offered by Ventura County Job & Career Centers by attending two upcoming business expos. The first is Ventura Business Showcase sponsored by the Ventura Chamber of Commerce. The Business Showcase will be at the Ventura County Fairgrounds (Santa Cruz Hall, 101 West Harbor Blvd., Ventura), Thursday, September 17, 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Admission: $5. The second is the 2009 Fall Business Expo sponsored by the Thousand Oaks-Westlake Village Regional Chamber of Commerce. The Expo will be at the Hyatt Westlake Plaza (880 S. Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village), Thursday, September 24, 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Admission is free.

Job & Career Center representatives will be on hand at both of these events to discuss free center services that can help employers seeking qualified workers or assist businesses facing workforce reduction. The centers, located throughout Ventura County, also provide access to business consulting services and development of customized training programs for new and current employees. For more information about center services, call 800-500-7705 or visit www.wib.ventura.org.

The Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley is pleased to announce its 2009-2010 Board of Directors. Having graciously volunteered to serve as officers of the Board are Michael Hause, Board President, Patty Harrison, President Elect, Gary Nasalroad, Secretary and Past President, John Kulwiec, Treasurer. These dedicated individuals are joined in service by Santa Paula Chief of Police Steve McKinnon, Past President Mike Mobley, Immediate Past President Tony Soriano, Real Estate Agent Diane Torrance, and our newest Board Member, Attorney Deborah Jurgensen. Board members are charged with overseeing the function of the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley and all of the locations that make up the organization: Santa Paula Clubhouse, Las Piedras Clubhouse, Fillmore Clubhouse, North Fillmore Clubhouse, Rancho Sespe Clubhouse, and the six Aspire Program school sites, Barbara Webster Elementary, Thelma Bedell Elementary. Glen City School, McKevett School, Blanchard School, and Grace Thille Elementary School. The board is looking forward to the 2009-2010 fiscal year with enthusiasm, optimism and confidence that the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley can, with the communities continued help and support, thrive and grow in the support of its mission “…to inspire, enrich and enable the healthy growth and development of all youth in a supportive and safe environment throughout the Santa Clara Valley.” CONTINUED »

The Auto Club

LOS ANGELES, CA. To help motorists, bicyclists and young pedestrians stay safe and aware as nearly 7 million children in California return to school in the coming weeks and to improve all around traffic safety, the Automobile Club of Southern California is distributing hundreds of back to school safety newsletters, posters and bumper stickers to schools, law enforcement agencies and AAA-Approved Auto Repair facilities as part of AAA’s 76th annual “School’s Open—Drive Carefully educational campaign.

Nationally, traffic collisions are the number one cause of death and injury for youngsters less than 15 years of age. And this year as the result of the state budget, more school districts are reducing or idling school buses, shifting more driving to parents. At the same time, more bicyclists and motorcyclists are on the roadway trying to save gasoline, creating a challenging safety environment for all who share the road, according to the Auto Club.

“Traffic congestion in parking lots and streets near campuses increases after school starts. This, paired with children’s tendency to dart into the street without looking for oncoming traffic, increases hazards children face while walking to and from school or waiting at bus stops,” said the Auto Club’s Anita Lorz, community relations and traffic safety team lead. “Drivers must watch for children walking or riding a bike and reduce speeds in school zones.” CONTINUED »

The California Women Business Owner's (CWBO) will be featuring Diane Woodard, M.A. at the September 14, 2009 monthly meeting at Maggiano's Little Italy, 6100 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills. Networking begins at 6 PM and a buffet dinner is served at 6:30 PM.

Ms. Woodward is the owner of Focus After Fifty in Woodland Hills and is a seasoned career consultant. She'll discuss "Success after 50" focusing on the re-evaluation of business and lifetime priorities and how to define "success" for ourselves.

We will be collecting non perishable food products that will be donated to a local food bank at the meeting.

Bring a friend and join us for this great topic. Reservations can be made through the www.CWBO.org website or by calling (818) 773-1976 by September 10th. Cost of the dinner is $33 for non-members and unreserved members.

Ventura – United Blood Services needs to collect over 4,000 pints of blood before the Labor Day weekend, in order to ensure a steady and ample supply through the holiday. Blood supplies have been steady throughout the summer for most blood types, however in anticipation of the holiday demand, United Blood Services is issuing today a 4,000 pint challenge to ensure that supplies of all blood types are at sufficient levels. There is a special need for type O-Negative blood at this time.

As a special thank you to summertime blood donors, United Blood Services has teamed up with Jiffy Lube and Toyota and Scion of Santa Maria to offer the Jiffy Lube Drive To Save Lives Prius Giveaway. All blood donors (age 18 and older) will be automatically entered in the giveaway, in which one lucky blood donor (through September 30th) will be selected to win a new 2010 Toyota Prius. In addition, all blood donors will also earn points toward DVD’s, movie certificates and other prizes.

Six Central Coast blood donors, including one from the Ventura area, have been selected thus far to be among twenty lucky finalists for the 2009 Jiffy Lube Drive To Save Lives Prius Giveaway. One lucky winner from the 20 finalists will become the proud owner of a new 2010 Toyota Prius, at a special prize ceremony in early October. For complete details on the Jiffy Lube Drive To Save Lives Prius Giveaway, visit the blood bank’s website at UnitedBloodServices.org/CentralCoast. CONTINUED »

Thirteen scouts from Troop 406 enjoyed a week long camping experience at the well known Camp Hi-Sierra. Upon arrival, boys unpacked their things & took the swim test. Merit Badge counselors from all over take time to help out each year at summer camp. Venturing Scout, Lee Ting came as far as Taiwan.

For a few of the scouts, this was their very first time attending a week long camp and they thoroughly enjoyed it. Scoutmaster Scott Klittich and Assistant Scoutmaster Ron Smith, who are very dedicated to Troop 406, took time off from their jobs to attend camp with the boys and it is greatly appreciated for all they do.
After returning from camp, a special Court of Honor ceremony/potluck dinner was held at the Boy Scout House. Each scout worked hard while at camp and earned the following merit badges.

Xray Alexander: Archery and Indian Lore; Esteban Almazan: Energy, Photography, Pioneering, Soil & Water Conservation and Wilderness Survival; Logan Boblett: Archery, Astronomy, Indian Lore and Wilderness Survival; Kelly Bullard: Citizenship in the World, Cooking, Energy, Geology and Weather; Sean Chandler: Citizenship in the World, Cooking, Geology, Nature and Weather; Micah Chumley: Archery, Astronomy, Indian Lore and Wilderness Survival; Westley Fairall: Cooking, First Aid, Photography and Pioneering; Julian Garcia: Indian Lore; Timmy Klittich: Art and Sailing; Chris Medrano: Art, Astronomy, Mammal Study, Nature, Pottery and Wood Carving; Robby Munoz: Citizenship in the World, First Aid and Fish & Wildlife and Quinn Valenzuela: Indian Lore, Pottery, Wilderness Survival and Woodcarving.

In addition to the above, Kelly Bullard achieved his Star Rank while Westley Fairall achieved his First Class rank. Congratulations to all.

Don’t miss Otto & Sons Nursery’s award winning display at the Ventura County Fair. The landscape in the Floriculture area features a 1960 Ford F-350 stake side truck surrounded by fruit orchards and roses. The display won Best of Division, Best Plant Material, and Fair Theme for commercial nursery entries. The fair is open through Sunday August 16th.

The Wes Thompson Gun Range in the Piru Canyon will be the site for this weekend’s “Steel Challenge” Shooting Championships. This year’s competition is expected to draw between 250-300 sharp shooting competitors in this international meet. Billed as “the ultimate in speed and accuracy!” the four-day shoot begins Thursday, August 13th with award ceremonies set for final day on Sunday, August 16th.

There will be a wide range of events for the top shooters, as well as special opportunities for first time shooters and youth. The overall purse for challenge entries will be over $300,000 in prizes and awards. Other events and activities will offer chances to win even more great prizes. Many of the industry’s major manufacturers and suppliers have joined to offer some of the top prizes and give-aways.

Guns used in the various events will include handguns, rifles and more. Each competitor can enter the events most suited to their interests and talents. This is sure to offer some of the top shooters in this exciting and growing sport, featured on some of the popular sports television programs. CONTINUED »

11:AM—1PM—Tuesday August 11, 2009 Rooms 5/6 We will learn about the Gospel on Five fingers / Blessed Mother Teresa followed by Pizza LUNCH in the park. Off to swim with a parent and group at the city pool. Paper work for parents to review & complete can be picked up in pastoral center. $2 per person to enter city pool (swimming or not)

Leave parking lot 2:30PM Return 5:30 PM Wednesday, August 12th $4 includes shoe rental & 2 games also a hotdog, & 20 oz soda. We will travel on Bus to Buena Lanes, need signed permission slip to go. ($4 cost is only for 16 and under) Kids please wear a red shirt to this event. Thanks!

11 AM—???PM Thursday, August 13—We will begin with Blessed Imelda’s First Communion Miracle followed by a tasty “Summer potluck in the Park.” We will have a water slide and water games this afternoon. Let’s enjoy Summer! Susan Beyerl will arrange the pot luck with our parents.

Three Fillmore artists, Luanne Perez, Judy Dressler and Wana Klasen, have entered paintings in Santa Paula Society of the Arts show currently at the Santa Paula Oil Museum, corner of Tenth and Main Streets in Santa Paula. The theme and title of the event is “California Faces and Places”. The Show runs from August 2 to September 20, 2009; open Wed. - Sun., 10 – 4pm.

“The Walnut Tree, 100 years old” is a watercolor by Luanne Perez. “Sacred Heart Chapel, Saticoy”, “Ventura Coastline” and “Plumas County, Stream” are watercolors and mixed media by Wana Klasen. “Sycamores by the Sespe” and “Northern Coastline” in oil are by Judy Dressler.

United Parents Support Group is a support group for parents giving a sense of hope, purpose and confidence on how to deal with tough issues challenging you and your teenager today. You will be provided with the ideas, tools and tactics you need to improve behavior and their academic focus.

This support group is intended for the parents of struggling teens, not the teenagers themselves or parents who would like to join us in a preventive effort for their family. Both parents should attend if at all possible. PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS & GUARDIANS WELCOME! We will meet at the One Step Center, “Chocolate Church”, Episcopal Church (corner of Saratoga St. and Second St.) at 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Saturday, August 8, 2009.

Questions? Please call Norma Pérez-Sandford (805) 208-0712 or leave a message for María Wells, United Parents (805) 384-1555. Please join us, we understand what challenges you may be going through. We are not here to judge, we are here to help and empower you with information in both this difficult and joyous journey called Parenthood.

The Ventura County Fair Parade marched down Main St today in celebration of the 134th annual Ventura County Fair.

Those who missed the parade, or parade participants and their families can watch the parade on CAPS-TV. The parade will air on Channel 6 on Wednesday, August 12: 6:00 pm, Thursday, August 13: 4:00 pm, Friday, August 14: 8:00 pm, Saturday, August 15: 8:00 am & 7:00 pm.

The Ventura County Fair is proud to announce the trophy winners of the 2009 Ventura County Fair Parade: Color Guard: 1st –187th Airborne; Floats-School: 1st—Ventura High School Pep Squad Floats-Commercial: 1st—Love House Dahlias 2nd—City of Santa Paula 3rd—Maverick’s Gym Floats-Adult Club: 1st—Vietnam Veterans 2nd—Country Lovers Western Dance Floats-Youth Club: 1st—Ventura Boys and Girls Club 2nd—CA Coast Cheer & Dance 3rd—Ventura Packers Cheer Antique Auto-Indiv. 1st—Joe Allesandrino 2nd—D.J. Federlein 3rd—Museum of Ventura County Antique Auto-Clubs 1st—VC Model “A” Ford Club Classic Auto-Indiv. 1st Gina Linain (1963 Studebaker) 2nd—Derek Luna (1971 Chevy) 3rd--- Peter Gallagher Classic Auto-Clubs 1st—Nite Life Car Club 2nd—Corvair Society of America Misc.-Novelty 1st—Ventura H.S. Dance Team 2nd—Dennis Forel 3rd—Ventura KO Boxing Club. The 134th Ventura County Fair, “Purebred and Home Grown” runs through Sunday, August 16.