CAMARILLO, CA - On Saturday, April 19, from 10 a.m.—3 p.m., Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) will host the fourth annual Easter Eggstravaganza at the VCAS Camarillo Animal Adoption Center, 600 Aviation Dr., Camarillo.

This free, family-friendly event, sponsored by Foto-Snap and Phil Birdsell Entertainment, will feature half-off adoptions on dogs and cats, an egg hunt, photo booth pictures, crafts, music, prizes, a jolly jumper, a visit from the Easter Bunny, face painting, a scavenger hunt, raffles, food trucks and so much more!

Hosted by VCAS staff and volunteers, the Easter Eggstravaganza is designed to: 1) raise funds for spaying, neutering and caring for VCAS rabbits, 2) raise awareness that live rabbits, chicks and other animals are not Easter toys or gifts, 3) move VCAS closer toward its goal of becoming a “no-kill” organization.

“We hope to end the cycle of impulse rabbit purchases and subsequent abandonments that happen during the springtime every year,” said Tara Diller, VCAS Director. “Instead we invite the public to visit our adoption center in Camarillo, meet our other animals that are waiting for forever families and support us in our efforts to make 2014 a record-breaking year when it comes to the numbers of homeless animals adopted”

To discourage the gifting of live rabbits, VCAS rabbit adoptions will be put on hold from Friday, April 11 – Sunday, April 20 and will resume on Monday, April 21. VCAS encourages people to purchase chocolate and plush rabbits as gifts instead of live animals or adopt dogs and cats at half off the regular adoption fee instead.

For more information, go to www.vcas.us or call 805-388-4341.

Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County, Oxnard CA (March 17, 2014) – Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County has been awarded $100,000 from Thrivent Financial to build a home in Santa Paula. This will be the fourth home built in partnership with Thrivent in Ventura County.

This award will enable the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate to fund fifty percent of the construction costs for a single-family home. In addition to the Thrivent award, California Lutheran University has committed $25,000 as part of the 2014 Thrivent Builds partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County. Additional faith-based organizations will join together to fully fund the home.

“Working in partnership with Habitat families to help them build or repair their homes is an inspiring experience,” said Dave Harrington, a local financial representative with Thrivent Financial. “I enjoy working alongside members – who generously donate their time and talents – to strengthen our community.”

The Thrivent funding is part of an ongoing partnership between Thrivent Financial and Habitat for Humanity International. Through the partnership called Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity, Thrivent members, Habitat affiliates and others partner with families across the U.S. and around the world to provide affordable housing and stronger, generous communities. Thrivent Builds inspires members to live generously.

Thrivent Financial is CONTINUED »

IRVINE, CA - The Hass Avocado Board (HAB), which promotes the consumption of Hass Avocados in in the United States, is scheduling its annual board elections for vacant domestic Hass avocado grower and Hass avocado importer members as well as alternate seats.

In mid-March, announcement of open seats will be mailed to all eligible producers and importers of Hass avocados, with a deadline for receipt of nomination forms on April 16, 2014. HAB expects to mail ballots to producers and importers by May 5 with a May 30 deadline. New members and alternates appointed by the USDA Secretary will be seated at the board meeting in November 2014. Visit www.hassavocadoboard.com/elections for details.

HAB also has reaffirmed its proactive policy of seeking board members who reflect the demographics of the avocado industry while supporting the Board’s membership diversity goals. " HAB has a history of making considerable efforts to emphasize the participation of qualified persons for Board and positions without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital or family status, or other basis protected by law," said Emiliano Escobedo, Executive Director. "Like many institutions, HAB benefits by having a broad and diverse membership so we encourage women, minorities and persons with disabilities to seek nomination to the Board and actively participate," he added.

In addition to regular monitoring of board composition, HAB will encourage diversity by publishing information about the policy prior to board elections, ensuring notification in internal and trade publications.

Ventura County Behavioral Health is pleased to offer Mental Health First Aid: an 8‐hour certification course to help participants better understand mental illness and respond to psychiatric emergencies.

Dates: March 24-25, 2014
Time: 9am-1:30pm (Both Days)
Presenter: Frank Barba & Ana Del Rio Barba
Location: 1911 Williams Drive, Oxnard, CA 93036
(VCBH TRAINING ROOM)

Course Information
Mental Health First Aid is a ground breaking public education program that helps the public identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders.

Mental Health First Aid is offered in the form of an interactive two-day course that presents an overview of mental illness and substance use disorders in the U.S. and introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems, builds understanding of their impact, and overviews common treatments.
Attendees will learn:

• The potential risk factors and warning signs for a range of mental health problems, including: depression, anxiety/trauma, psychosis and psychotic disorders, eating disorders, substance use disorders, and self-injury.

• How to use a 5-step action plan to assess a crisis situation and select and implement appropriate interventions.

• The realities and prevalence of various mental health disorders in the U.S. and the need for reduced stigma in our communities.

• How to access appropriate professional, peer, social, and self-help resources to help someone with a mental health problem.

To register for this valuable training, send an email to:
Arieta Faiivae, Community Outreach, arieta.faiivae2@ventura.org or call 805-981-2220. For more detailed information, contact: KerryAnn Schuette, VCBH Manager KerryAnn.Schuette@ventura.org

This project is funded by VCBH Mental Health Services Act.

Coffee and water will be available, please bring your own snacks.

Livingston Hospice conducts several adult bereavement support groups to help those who have experienced a loss. Explore and express feeling, understand the grief process and receive emotional support. Open to the public, no cost, all are welcome; the groups are held at:

• The First Presbyterian Church, 850 Ivywood Drive, Oxnard; Every Wednesday, (March 19 & 28, April 2 & 9 ); from 3:00 – 4:30 pm

• Livingston Memorial VNA, 1996 Eastman Ave (#112), Ventura; Every Wednesday, (March 19 & 28, April 2 & 9)); from 6:30 – 8:00

• Help of Ojai, 370 Baldwin Road, Ojai; On 2nd & 4th Tuesday, (March 25, April 8); from 10:30 am – 12 noon

• For the newly bereaved: at Livingston Memorial VNA, 1996 Eastman Ave, (#112), Ventura; second Thursday, (April 10 ); from 6:00 – 7:30 pm

Call 642-1608 for more information.

Find out how at our next Informational session:

Thursday, March 27
6:30-8 pm, Camarillo

CASA is the only volunteer organization that empowers everyday citizens as officers of the court. In an overburdened social welfare system, abused and neglected children often slip through the cracks among hundreds of current cases. CASA volunteers change that. Appointed by judges, CASA volunteers typically handle just one case at a time—and commit to staying on that case until the child is placed in a safe, permanent home. While others may come and go, CASA volunteers provide that one constant that children need in order to thrive.

CASA needs more volunteers! Currently there are over 40 children in Ventura County that have been assigned to the program but are on a waiting list because of the lack of volunteers. Please consider attending the next CASA Informational Session on Thursday, March 27th to prepare for the upcoming 30-hour training session that begins in April. For more information about the upcoming CASA Informational session please contact Bernadette Cardenas, at (805) 389-3120 or Bernadette@casaofventuracounty.org.

To reserve a seat call 805.389.3120

After you have registered, you will receive location information by email or phone call.

Livingston Visiting Nurse Association will hold Diabetes Classes to introduce basic information regarding diet, medication, exercise, blood sugar monitoring, new developments and common problems. Open to the public and free of charge, no registration is necessary. Call 805-642-0239 for information. The classes are held:

• In Ventura, first Tuesday of the month: April 1 @ Livingston VNA, 1996 Eastman Ave, #109, from 1:00 – 2:30 pm.

• In Camarillo, first Wednesday of the month: April 2 @ Camarillo Community Center, Room 3, 1605 Burnley Street, from 2:30 to 4:00 pm.

• In Simi Valley, first Wednesday of the month: April 2 @ Simi Valley Senior Center, 3900 Avenida Simi, from 10:30 am – 12:00 noon.

• In Thousand Oaks, fourth Wednesday of the month, April 23 @ Goebel Senior Center, 1385 E. Janss Rd, from 1:30 – 3:00 pm.

Enlarge Photo

Theresa Robledo, assisting with the presentation of Fillmore Vision 2020 Civic Pride’s Yard of the Month for March awarded to Mr. and Mrs. McClain (photo with their adorable grandchildren, Ava & Caeden) Congratulations! Their yard is located at 201 Third Street, you will find a lovely outlined garden featuring Gerber Daisies; Freesias; Alstroemeria; Day Lillies; Melaleuca Trees; Plumera Trees; Roses; Gazanias; Carnations; and Silk Trees. There gardener is Joe Acosta of Fillmore, however, Mr. McClain manages their Roses. A Big Thank you to Otto & Sons Nursery for providing a gift certificate to the winners, where they will find more of their gardening and plant needs!

SANTA PAULA, CA. March 7, 2014 – Santa Clara Valley Bank (SCVBank;OTC BB: SCVE) Chairman of the Board, Scott K. Rushing, today announced the Bank's 2013 fourth quarter results.

Board Chairman Scott Rushing reported that portfolio quality continues to demonstrate solid performance with increasing loan production.

SCVBank recorded a $190,000 income before taxes for the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to an income before taxes of $157,000 for the fourth quarter of 2012. Income before taxes for 2013 was $77,000.

Due to a $227,000 writedown of deferred tax assets during the fourth quarter of 2013, the Bank's net loss, after taxes, was $37,000. The net loss for 2013 was $153,000.

SCVBank continues to maintain a strong capital position with a Tier 1 Leverage Capital Ratio of 10.84%, up from 10.68% at December 31, 2012. Liquidity continues to be very strong as cash, interest bearing deposits at financial institutions, and investments total 45% of total assets at year end.

President Cheryl Knight commented that, "challenges remain due to weak loan demand and very low interest rates, leading to margin compression and lower income; however, returns on our high quality investment portfolio have increased recently. Core deposits compare favorably with other similar banks.” Chairman Rushing added that, “the bank continues to seek good quality business and commercial real estate loans in Ventura County and North Los Angeles County. As good quality loans are funded, the financial performance of SCVBank will continue to strengthen.”

Founded in 1998, SCVBank currently operates three branches in Santa Paula, Fillmore, and Valencia. Executive and Loan Offices are located at 866 East Main Street, Santa Paula, Ca. Under its stock symbol of SCVE, SCVBank’s stock is traded through McAdams Wright Ragen, Raymond James & Associates Inc., and Monroe Securities. The Bank’s web site is www.SCVBank.com.

Santa Clara Valley Bank Corporation Headquarters
901 East Main Street
Santa Paula, California 93060
(805) 525-1999

Statements concerning future performance, developments or events concerning expectations for growth and market forecasts, and any other guidance on future periods, constitute forward looking statements that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from stated expectations. Specific factors include, but are not limited to, the effect of interest rate changes, and the ability to control costs and expenses, the impact of consolidation in the banking industry, financial policies of the United States government, and general economic conditions.

The Ventura County Fair youth poster contest is accepting entries until April 1. Ventura county children in grades 5 – 12 are invited to let their imaginations soar and come up with the wining design for the 2014fair poster.

Prizes will be awarded to the top three entries, First prize: $500, Second Prize: $250, Third Prize: $100. All entries will be displayed in the Youth Expo at the 2014 fair and all contestants will be invited to ride on the Junior Fair Board float in the 2014 Fair Parade.

The theme of the 2014 fair is “A Country Fair with Ocean Air” and will serve as the guideline to the imagery. Artwork may be created in any medium but may not include the use of glitter, metallic paint, or 3 dimensional objects attached to the artwork.

Poster designs will be judged on Theme, Originality, Composition and Skill. Entries will be accepted until the entry deadline, Tuesday, April 1. Entries can be brought to the Fairgrounds administration office at 10 W. Harbor Blvd. in Ventura. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8AM until 5PM.

Rules, deadlines and other information can be found on the Fair website, www.venturacountyfair.org. For more information about the contest call 648-3376 or send an email to info@venturacountyfair.org. (Please put “Poster Contest” in the subject line)

The winning design will be used to advertise the fair on posters, souvenirs, advertisements and other applications. Second and third place winners will also be used in various applications.

The Ventura County Fair will begin its annual 12-day run Wednesday, July 30 andcontinue until Sunday, August 10.

For more information about the fair, or the poster contest, please call the Ventura County Fairgrounds at 648-3376 or visit www.venturacountyfair.org. Keep up to date when you follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

The Ventura County Rose Society will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday, March 27, 2014, at the Ventura County Office of Education Conference Center at 5100 Adolfo Rd., Camarillo.

The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. for advice from Consulting Rosarians and refreshments. A little rose celebration will be held at 7:00 pm, and our speaker presentation will begin at 7:30 pm.

The VCRS meeting will feature Scott Klittich, Manager of Otto & Sons Nursery in Fillmore, CA, who will be speaking about "Growing Great Roses". Otto & Sons Nursery has over 800 varieties of roses for sale and over 120,000 plants. The nursery supplies independent nurseries, garden centers, and landscapers as well as offering educational classes. Scott will present ways to grow roses with Integrated Pest Management methods and show some of the beautiful new roses available. Scott is a very knowledgeable speaker and we will gain excellent information.

Visitors are always welcome to our VCRS meetings. For more information contact: Janet Sklar at 818-337-9970 or Dawn-Marie Johnson at 805-523-9003. Our website is http://www.venturarose.org/

Video was taken at the end of the levee at 1409 Goodenough Road, Fillmore, CA. 93015. Map: 34.418021, -118.924885

Vision 2020, Civic Pride Committee, will host the sixth annual Fillmore Flower Show since it was revived in 2009. The show will be held on April 12-13, 2014, at the Fillmore Senior Center, at 533 Santa Clara Street, Fillmore, California. In commemoration of Fillmore’s centennial celebration, the theme is “100 Years of Flowers”.
The event is open to the public both days from 1:00pm-4:00pm and it is FREE.

The Civic Pride Committee will be cooperating with the Soroptimists to hold a book reading and seed planting event at the Fillmore Library on March 12 from 4-4:30pm. The Boys/Girls Club will be bringing a group of young children and this opportunity will be also open to any other interested children in the community.

Another opportunity for learning, that is more focused, on Flower Show entries, will be held at the Boys/Girl’s Club on First St., Tuesday, March 25th from 2-3pm.
This time will be a practical, “hands- on” workshop about making an arrangement or “team effort” arrangement that could be entered in the Flower Show. Supplies for practice will be provided and brochures with entry rules available.

All youth entries are free for the show and either a team of two or more or an individual, living within the Fillmore Unified School District( includes Piru, Bardsdale and some areas west of Fillmore) may enter for competition. The team or individual must bring all their supplies (flowers, dried material, picture, etc.) to the show on Saturday, April 12 between 7:30am and 10:00am. Young people will make their arrangement during that time, showing their own creativity.

Questions? Please contact, Linda Nunes at 805-524-3021.

You’ve probably seen a little purple electric car running around town. It is the brainchild of Milan Boyanich, who is the inventor and engineer of the Auburn Speedster, Jr., electric car. Mr. Boyanich is also the owner of A Street Self Storage, which also houses Body Image Gym, and Hair Gallery salon. Mr. Boyanich will go into production manufacturing the Auburn Speedster, Jr., this year. He attracts a lot of attention when driving his little Auburn Speedster, Jr. Students from Mrs. Becky Goldner’s Fillmore Middle School class were outside for recreation and noticed the little purple car and immediately ran over to the fence inquiring about it. Mrs. Goldner, a sixth grade teacher, stopped Mr. Boyanich to ask him about the electric car. She said they are studying renewable and nonrenewable resources in her Earth science class. The students are learning about how we will run out of fossil fuels and we need to turn to clean energy like: wind, solar, and water power.

FREE Event: Open to children K-6th
Date: Wed. March 12, 2014 Time: 4pm-4:30pm
Location: Fillmore Library 502 Second St. Fillmore
Book: The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle

From Seeds to Flowers! We have the Power!
Find out how you have the power to keep our city beautiful! We will be reading the book The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle, which follows the journey of a group of seeds through various scenarios. We will be making a seed ball to plant at home and reading and signing a pledge to remind us of our promise to help keep Fillmore clean! After this event you might be inspired to submit an entry to the Fillmore Flower Show on April 12 & 13th! Presented by: The Fillmore Civic Pride/Fillmore Flower Show in conjunction with Soroptimist International of Fillmore and the Fillmore Friends of the Library. For information contact: Ari Larson 805.794.7590/petenari55@hotmail.com

A new Leo club came to Fillmore on February 22 when charter members celebrated the organization of their new Walt Taylor Leo Club at the Lions District 4A3 Cabinet meeting held at the Fillmore Memorial Building. The Fillmore Lions Club sponsored the new club for young people.

Raquel Aguilar of Fillmore has been elected to serve as the first president of the new club, and Jessica Mayhew also of Fillmore will serve as the first club secretary. The Walt Taylor Leo Club plans to become involved with existing Lion’s Club projects. Members will also this year undertake Fillmore High School (FHS) beautification, raised bed gardening, disabled student and younger/elder co-mentoring initiatives as well as a Fillmore oral history project.

According to Erick Cadena, club membership VP, “We are excited to give back to our community. Through our important L-eadership E-xperiencing O-pportunity (LEO) work, MUCH will be accomplished in our schools and neighborhoods.” Club Treasurer Jaime Valdovinos is keen to see what remains of his budget well spent before the end of the academic year.

The Walt Taylor Leo Club meets every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at 12:20 pm at FHS in room 62. Norm Anderson and Gerald Fitzgerald are the current Leo club advisors. Young people, grades 9-12 who would like more information about the Walt Taylor Leo Club can contact LEO Membership VP Erick Cadena at (805)421-7527 or Lion Gerald at (805)625-4365 or at geraldmf09@gamil.com

Lions clubs sponsor approximately 5,800 Leo clubs in 140 countries. While helping others in their community, Leos develop leadership skills and experience teamwork in action. For more information about the Leo Club Program, visit the Youth Programs section of the Lions Web site at www.lionsclubs.org.

Fillmore Athletic Boosters will be holding their 4th annual casino night on Saturday, March 15th at Britt Park from 6PM until midnight. All proceeds benefit student athletes and the athletic programs at Fillmore High School. Tickets are $30 and include funny money, beer, appetizers, raffle, DJ, and a no host bar. For more information please contact Jennie Andrade at 340-3601. We appreciate our community's support towards a great cause!